^ 



EVIDENCES 

OF 

lATURAL AND REVEALED 
RELIGION; 

ALSO, 

Ql!]e Sloctriucs anlr liistitutiona 

' OF 

CHRISTIANITY. 



WITH QUESTIONS FOR USE IN BIBLE CLASSES, 
IN PAROCHIAL, FAMILY, SUNDAY, / 

AND OTHER SCHOOLS, ]/ 

BY THE AUTHOR OF 
"RJEASONS why 1 AM A CHURCHMAN." 



^ S', ^VX-^,^^- 



N K W - \ O R K : 

o 

GENERAL rUOTESTA^'T EPISCOPAL S. S. UNION, 



1843. 






^A 



^ 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the yeaj 1848, 

BY JOHN W. MITCHELL, 

(As Treasurer of The General Protestant Episcopal S. S. Union,) 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, 

for the Southern District of New York. 



C. DAVISON «& CO., Stereotypers, 
33 Gold street, New York. 



PREFACE. 



The present work is offered to the public in the 
belief, that among the numerous treatises extant on 
the Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion, 
here is not one which answers all the purposes of a 
ook for general reading and for instruction, on 
dis most important subject, in our parochial. Sun- 
ay and other schools. To provide such a book has 
een the object in preparing the following pages, 
'he author has aimed, where so much might be said, 
t comprehensiveness, brevity and perspicuity. The 
estimony of the Church, as " the pillar and ground 
f the truth," will be found running through the 
■hain of evidence. The objective Doctrines and 
institutions of Christianity, in the concluding chap- 
ters, will not, it is hoped, be found out of place at 
the present day. 

In using the work as a book of instruction, much 
must be left to the living teacher. A few leading 
questions are appended to each page ; the faithful 



IV PREFACE. 

teacher, however, will not confine his attention to 
these, but will see to it that the pupil is thoroughly 
acquainted with the subject examined. Particular 
care should be taken not to hurry forward too rapidly. 
A few pages will be sufiicient for a single lesson, ex- 
cept in reviews, which should be frequent, repeated 
and thorough. 

Should the present volume shield any of the young 
from the enticements and the doom of the skeptic, or 
should it, in a single instance, lead to a more intelli- 
gent, ennobling service of the one only and true 
GrOD, in the way of His appointment, many an hour 
of arduous, pleasing labor will not have been spent 
in vain. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Evidences of the Existence of God, from the Light of ''^^^ 
Nature ^ 

CHAPTER II. 

Attributes of God, as proved from the Light of Nature. . 22 

CHAPTER III. 
Probability and Necessity of a Revelation 41 

CHAPTER IV. 
Authenticity of the Old Testament 61 

CHAPTER V. 

Same subject continued— Mosaic Account of the Deluge 
examined and confirmed g7 

CHAPTER VI. 

Prophecy, Proof of the Inspiration of the Old Testament 108 
CHAPTER VII. 

Authenticity and Genuineness of the Books of the New 

Testament j26 

1* 



VI CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

PAGE 

Inspiration of the New Testament — Miracles and 
Prophecy 149 

CHAPTER IX. 

Internal Evidence of the Inspiration and Truthfulness of 
the New Testament 167 

CHAPTER X. 

Revelation contains both Doctrines and Institutions. .... 185 

CHAPTER XL 
Institutions of Christianity defined and proved, 200 



CHAPTER I. 

EXISTENCE OF GOD PROVED FROM THE LIGHT 
OF NATURE. 

There are multitudes of persons, who, if they were 
required to state definitely what they mean by the 
Being of God, and why they believe in His existence, 
would find their ideas on the subject consisting only 
of a few vague generalities. 

On the subject of religious truth generally, there 
is a tendency abroad to rest satisfied with a few un- 
defined impressions, which float like shadows across 
the surface of the mind, but which are found to lack 
reality, when tested by a thorough examination. 

Here is one strong reason why many who have 
been educated under religious influences, and are 
perhaps professed believers in revealed religion, are 
seen, under a change of circumstances, swelling the 
number of the scoff'ers and the profane. They never 
were thoroughly instructed in the principles of Chris- 

1. What is the subject of the present chapter'? 

2. What is too generally true respecting this subject 1 

3. What general remark is too often true 1 

4. What is often seen as a consequence of this 1 

5. What was true of them 1 



8 EXISTENCE OF GOD PROVED 

tianity. They are conscious of exercising belief 
without evidence, and hence feel that they have no 
power to withstand the assaults of the enemies of the 
Cross of Christ. 

Hence it is the imperious duty of every believer 
of natural and revealed religion, to examine the foun- 
dation on which he stands. And it is also the bounden 
duty of all parents and sponsors, and all religious 
teachers, to fortify the faith of those who are placed 
under their care with reasons which the enemy can 
neither gainsay nor resist. 

To assist in this important work is the object of the 
following pages. We propose to examine with some 
minuteness the Evidences of Natural and Revealed 
Eeligion ; and trust they who give to the subject their 
attention will find themselves amply rewarded, not 
only in their ability to resist attacks from without, 
but, what is far more, in the acquisition of a more in- 
telligent Faith, of more animating hopes, and of 
more intimate acquaintance with the Gtod of all Truth. 

The subject of our present examination is. The 
Being and Existence of Gtod ; on which subject we 
propose to answer two questions — 

I. What do we understand by the Being of G-od ? 

6. What are they conscious of? 

7. What are they the victims of? 

8. What duty arises 7 

9. What is the object of the following pages'? 

10. What do we propose to examine ? 

11. What encouragement is offered to us 1 

12. What is the first subject examined in the present chapter ? 



FPvOM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 9 

II. Why do we believe in His existence ? 

Let us implore, that He, whose existence, perfec- 
tions, and works, are to form the subject of our study, 
will vouchsafe the constant assistance of His Holy 
Spirit. 

I. In respect to the first inquiry, there have been 
held erroneous views as to the nature of G-od. A 
glance at two or three of these views, will enable us 
more intelligently to fasten our minds upon the 
truth. 

One erroneous conception of the nature of God, is 
that which regards Him, not as a person, but only as 
a principle. According to this theory, Gtod is only 
that principle of life which pervades the animal and 
vegetable world ; that principle which, year after 
year, clothes the earth with verdure, and covers the 
forests with beauty. And as all things are found to 
be instinct with life, so God is said to be every thing 
and every thing God. This doctrine is usually de- 
nominated Pantheism. It had once obtained great 
prevalence among the more enlightened heathen na- 
tions. It has had great influence in shaping modern 
systems of corrupt Christianity. Even at the present 
day, much of the Rationalism which exists under a 

13. What is the second 7 

14. Respecting the first inquiry, what errors have been held 1 

15. What is the first erroneous idea mentioned'? 

16. What has it been called ? 

17. When had it great prevalence'? 

1 8. Where does it exist now '? 

19. What is such corruption usually called *? 



10 EXISTENCE OF GOD PROVED 

Christian name, seems to "be little else than the Pan- 
theism of pagan times. 

In this theory there may be ingenuity and appa- 
rent beauty. But it is stamped with guilt of the 
deepest dye — for it denies to God the possession of 
the most essential attributes of His character, and 
robs Him of that homage and worship which are His 
due. 

Such a theory is gloomy and comfortless to those 
who embrace it. Like the marble statuary, it may 
have the semblance of life ; but yet it is cold and 
cheerless as death in an hour of need. Instead of 
teaching that all things will work for good to those 
who love GrOD, it makes the Gtod of heaven and earth 
a mere imaginary principle, without the possession 
of wisdom, volition, love, or power. 

Again : Another erroneous view of the Being of 
God, is that, which, while it allows Him to be a per- 
son, in distinction from a principle, yet regards Him 
as subject to a law of inevitable fatality ; and teaches, 
that whatever has been, is, or shall be, takes place not 
by the permission or direction of God, but by the 
same law of fatality. 

Such a theory, like that just noticed, is in the high- 
est degree derogatory to the character of God. It 

20. What is said of the guilt of this theory '? 

21. Why must this be true 1 

22. What is its tendency 1 

23. What is another erroneous view held 1 

24. How does this affect the character of God 1 

25. How does it derogate from Him 1 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 11 

denies to Him the essential perfections of His cha- 
racter. It teaches that He neither chooses, wills, nor 
controls ; that he neither can punish nor reward moral 
action, according to its deserts ; but that He sits an 
unconcerned spectator of what is passing before Him. 

This theory has another necessary consequence. 
It blots out the line of distinction between virtue and 
vice, It needs no argument to prove that no virtue 
can attach to actions which are not voluntary, and 
that no vice can belong to conduct which is the result 
of an inevitable fatality. And yet this theory has, in 
past ages, been extensively held, and even in modern 
times, is one of those hiding-places of lies where de- 
pravity has sought to conceal itself. 

In speaking of erroneous conceptions of the Being 
of GrOD, we have made no mention of the Atheist, 
who denies entirely that there is a Gtod. Few indeed 
there are, who can shut their eyes at noon-day, and 
profess to believe that all is dark around them. So 
overpowering and so varied are the evidences of the 
existence of the Supreme Being, that even from the 
Atheist the confession is sooner or later wrung, 
" Verily there is a GrOD that dwelleth on the earth." 

In distinction from these erroneous conceptions of 
the nature and being of God, we believe, that He is a 

26. What is another consequence 1 

27. Must this be its necessary result ? 

28. What do you say of its prevalence 1 

29. Of what hare we made no mention % 

30. Have such notions often been held 1 

31. What is our definition of the Being of GodI 



12 EXISTENCE OF GOD PROVED 

PERSON, in distinction from a principle, and that He 
is free and voluntary in all things, governed only by 
His most high and holy will, instead of being con- 
trolled by the laws of an irresistible fatality. 

Our idea of Gtod may be expressed in saying, that 
He is a Spiritual Being, possessing, naturally and 
eternally, every absolute possible perfection, in an 
infinite degree. 

II. Our next general inquiry is, Why do we be- 
lieve THAT GrOD EXISTS ? 

In examining this important question, fundamental 
in all true religion, one thing we must take for grant- 
ed ; to wit, our own existence^ and our ability and au- 
thority to draw certain inevitable conclusions. If any 
man therefore denies his own existence, or the neces- 
sity of certain axioms which are as evident as his ex- 
istence, with him we have no controversy. These 
axioms men, all men, feel, not only that they are true, 
but that they cannot be false. 

One of these axioms, which we make the basis of 
our present argument, is, that wherevee, there 

EXISTS INDISPUTABLE MARKS OF CONTRIVANCE, THERE 
MUST HAVE BEEN AT WORK THE HAND OF A CONTRIVER. 

For illustration, a traveller upon the high seas is 
thrown by accident upon the shores of an unknown 

32. How may this idea be expressed ? 

33. What inquiry next arises 1 

34. What do we take for granted 1 

35. What do you say of such axioms 1 

36. What one is here the basis of our argument 1 

37. Give the illustration. 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 13 

coast. He begins to "Explore its curiosities. He 
wanders here and there, amidst its valleys and groves, 
and discovers before him an imposing building. He 
notices first, the strong foundation, on which the mas- 
sive superstructure is reared ; the towering walls, 
strongly compacted together ; the windows, freely 
admitting the light, yet excluding the storms and the 
cold ; the lofty spire, pointing toward heaven, sur- 
mounted by a deep-meaning symbol ; the doors by 
which a congregation might enter, and well-arranged 
seats for their accommodation ; the altar for the 
offering up of prayer and praise, and the pulpit, 
whence a congregation might be addressed ; the 
niches, here and there, where stand monuments of 
holy men of God, and the entablature, recording lives 
well spent. He gazes, and upon the canvass before 
him is a living picture of the Crucifixion of his 
Saviour. There is depicted the cruel torture, the 
convulsive writhing of every muscle ; the deep, soul- 
subduing agony which fills the countenance ; the 
eyes upturned to heaven for help ; and yet, over all 
is impressed the subdued serenity which seems to 
say, " Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy 
sight." — He gazes upon the lengthened aisles, the 
fluted columns, the vaulted arches, while the dim re- 
ligious light, of every varied hue, is diffused around 
him. He listens, and from the tower above him the 
clock strikes accurately the hour of time. He sees, 

38. What does he find? 

39. Mention every mark of contrivance. 

2 



14 EXISTENCE OF GOD PROVED 

he hears, he feels all this ; ahd he knows, as he knows 
the fact of his own existence, that all this is not the 
work of chance. He could not be more confident than 
he is, that no possible combination of the powers of 
nature, no accidental confusion or blending of the 
elements, ever brought into one harmonious whole 
such beautiful and varied results as he sees around 
him. He knows that this must be the effect of deep 
design, of laborious contrivance ; and that in what he 
sees around him, there has been at work the hand of 
a skilful contriver. 

Now precisely this, is the argument for the exist- 
ence of God. It is an argument which applies in its 
fullest strength. For never in human art has there 
been exhibited such marks of design, as are exhibited 
in that Great Temple of the Most High God, the 
natural world. St. Paul thus states the argument : 
^' The invisible things of Him from the creation of 
the world, are clearly seen ; being understood by the 
things that are made, even his eternal power and 
Godhead." Rom, i. 20. 

Wherever we turn amid the works of nature, so 
called, we find ourselves met at every point by the 
most obvious proofs of contrivance and design ; evinc- 



40. What conclusion does he draw % 

41. Does he feel that he can be mistaken 1 

42. What does contrivance prove in this case 1 

43. Does this argument prove the existence of God 1 

44. Does this argument exist in its full strength 1 

45. What does St. Paul say 1 

46. Where do we find contrivance 1 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 15 

ing, beyond question, the hand of a Contriver. We 
"behold, every where, perfect adaptation of means to 
ends ; systematic order ; matchless skill ; exquisite 
beauty ; endless variety. 

Amidst the ten thousand illustrations of the fact 
that contrivance proves a Contriver^ we select the com- 
mon fluid, water ; not as being the most striking, but 
as among the most familiar and useful. 

One of the two elements of which water is com- 
posed (hydrogen), is a destructive poison. The con- 
trivance by which the two are united, renders the 
combination into one, essential to human health and 
comfort. Again : had the vast body of water on the 
globe remained perfectly motionless, it must have 
become a stagnant mass, charging the atmosphere 
with deathful exhalations. Hence the contrivance of 
the ebb and flow of the tides, the extensive currents 
of the sea, which, with the winds, keep it in constant 
and healthful agitation. 

Again : had this element been limited to one place, 
the whole animal and vegetable world must have 
perished by thirst and drought. Hence the . contri- 
vance of the system of evaporation, by which the 
water, though more dense than the atmosphere, is yet 
drawn up into it, is there cleansed and made fit for 
use, is rendered almost tasteless and colorless, as being 
thus fitted for combinations, and is then suffered to 

47. What illustration is selected 1 

48. What contrivance in respect to agitation of the tides ? 

49. What contrivance brings it within reach of all 1 



16 EXISTENCE OF GOD PROVED 

descend again, not in overwhelming torrents, but so 
gently as not to injure the most sensitive plant and 
flower. 

Again : had this element remained on the surface 
of the earth, it would soon have become useless ; or 
had it descended deep into the earth, it would have 
become inaccessible. Hence the contrivance of those 
little rivulets, which, shielded alike from summer's 
heat and winter's cold, burst forth in cool and re- 
freshing streams, ministering to the necessities of all 
living things, and spreading beauty and verdure over 
the landscape. 

Again : had this element been suffered to remain 
on the surface of the earth, it must soon have gathered 
into vast and destructive quantities ; and hence the 
contrivance of rills, brooks and rivers, which roll their 
waters back again to the ocean, turning meanwhile 
the wheels of industry, and bearing upon their bosom 
to the busy marts of commerce, the varied productions 
of the lands through which they flow. 

Again : had this element, in high latitudes, been 
suffered to be exposed to the extreme colds, it must 
soon have become a solid mass, covering vast portions 
of the globe with perpetual desolation. Hence the 
contrivance of the expansion of water, in the form of 
ice, by which its specific gravity being less, it rises to 



50. What contrivance preserves it in a fit state for use 1 

51. What contri\rance in respect to disposal of if? 

52. What contrivance renders it useful '? 

53. What contrivance protects it from cold.l 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 17 

the surface, and offers a sufficient protection from tlie 
rigor of the cold to the depths below. 

Again : a not less wonderful instance of contrivance 
is seen in the newly discovered power which water 
becomes in the form of steam, and which promises to 
affect deeply the commercial, social, and religious in- 
terests of mankind. 

Such are some of the proofs of contrivance in one 
of the most familiar objects in nature. 

Now, this argument from contrivance, in proof of 
a Contriver, is not to be estimated by a single illus- 
tration. The argument is almost endlessly cumula- 
tive. It increases in strength with every new instance 
in which contrivance is manifest. And such instances 
multiply and become more and more striking, just 
in proportion to the accuracy and minuteness of our 
examination. They are seen in the peculiar con- 
struction of every species of insect^ bird, fish, animal, 
and plant ; adapting each to their own peculiar sphere 
of existence and to no other. Instances of contrivance 
are seen in every blade of grass, and in the formation 
of the various parts of every delicate flower. As we 
examine with the microscope the more delicate works 
of nature, as, for instance, the myriads of animalculae 
in the smallest drop of water — and scan the wonders 
which are never seen by the multitude with the naked 

54. What renders it subservient to other purposes 1 

55. Is this the whole strength of the argument 1 

56. Is it only the beginning of the argument 1 

57. Where is contrivance further seen 1 

58. What do you say of microscopic observations ^ 

2# 



18 EXISTENCE OF GOD PROVED 

eye, there we find growing still upon us, proof on 
proof of contrivance varied and multiplied in every 
form which every where exists. 

And so again, if, with the telescope, we turn our 
eye to the heavens above, and read the laws of order, 
the proofs of wisdom, power, and goodness which there 
abound, still it is only one accumulating mass of 
proof, growing continually upon us, to convince us 
of the power and the wisdom of the Creator. 

And so, in every place, and on every hand, from 
the rolling of a planet to the microscopic mite, there is 
never lacking the most complete adaptation of every 
thing to its own end ; the nicest arrangement of 
every thing to its own sphere ; in a word, the most 
conclusive evidence of contrivance, proving the ex- 
istence of a Contriver. And that Contriver is Gtod. 

Here, then, is our first argument for the existence 
of God. Contrivance proves a Contriver. All these 
multiplied exhibitions of wisdom, skill, power, design, 
are not the ofispring of mere chance. On the con- 
trary, '• the invisible things of Him, from the crea- 
tion, are clearly seen, being understood by the things 
that are made, even His eternal power and God- 
head." 

III. Our next argument in proof of the existence 
of God, is of a different kind. It is less imposing at 

59. What of telescopic'? 

60. What is seen every where ? 

61. What conclusions do we form 1 

62. Does St. Paul endorse this argument % 

63. What is the next general argument 1 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 19 

the first, but yet will bear the strictest examination. 
It is drawn from the general consent of mankind. In 
all ages of the world, in all countries of the world, in 
all degrees of civilization, the belief has prevailed that 
THERE IS A God. If there have been found excep- 
tions to this rule, they are insignificant in number, 
and do not affect the main fact, that the whole world 
of mankind, <2'?^^gdiluvian and postdiluvian, patriarchal, 
Jewish, Christian, gentile, Mahometan and pagan, all 
have consented to this one fact, of the Being of a God. 
Nor is the argument weakened by the fact, that crude 
notions respecting the Deity have extensively pre- 
vailed. The argument arises from the universality of 
the belief, that there is a God, and does not seem 
accountable upon any other supposition than that He 
really is. 

His existence appears to have been one of those 
first great truths about which the world have never 
been divided — a truth which doubtless had its origin 
in the early history of the world, when God spake to 
mankind face to face — a truth handed down from 
generation to generation by tradition — a truth which 
His works confirm from age to age. 

IV. We shall not enter upon another argument. 



64. What do you say of it 7 

65. Where has this belief been held *? 
QQ. What do you say of exceptions % 

67. What follows from this universality '\ 

68. Whence must it have arisen '? 

69. How was it handed down ? 

70. How was it confirmed 1 



20 EXISTENCE OF GOD PROVED 

sometimes urged to prove the existence of God, viz., 
the intuitive perceptions of the human mind. 

It has been sometimes supposed by certain mys- 
tics, that the soul is conscious of the immediate exist- 
ence and presence of the Great Spirit, even as spirit- 
ual beings are conscious of the presence of each other. 
As if God so fills immensity with His presence, that 
the spirit within us, in a manner to us incomprehen- 
sible, knows and feels that He is. 

However convincing this argument may be to those 
who embrace it, we choose rather to rely upon those 
evidences only which will bear the test of our under- 
standings and our judgment. 

And such are the arguments which have been 
already presented ; the argument drawn from the 
visible works of God, and that from the general con- 
sent of mankind. And with these two main argu- 
ments, we now leave the subject with the reader. 

Conclusion. — If we do not need to be convinced of 
the fact, do we not, at least, need more deeply to 
realize the truth of the existence of the Deity ? As 
we go forth to our daily walks and business ; as we 
enter the holy sanctuary of the Most High God ; as 
we visit the sacred retirements of the closet, how 

71. What argument is not urged % 

72. Who have held it 1 73. State the argument. 

74. On what arguments do we rely 1 

75. Repeat the two arguments to prove the Being of God. 

76. What do all need in respect to this argument 1 

77. Where ought the recollection of this truth to follow us 1 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 21 

would our indifference or our irreverence vanish be- 
fore the thought of the omnipresence of the Godhead, 
who is carefully noting all our thoughts, words, and 
actions ; and who will hereafter bring every work 
into judgment, whether it be good or whether it be 
bad. 

78. What effect would it produce upon us 1 

79. What truth, respecting God, should render us watchful 1 



CHAPTBE 11. 

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD, AS PROVED FROM THE 
LIGHT OF NATURE. 

Two illustrations will first be given of tlie import- 
ance of our present course of examination. 

It was the confession of a man particularly distin- 
guished for elevated and deep devotion and piety, that 
while he had never felt much inclination to those sen- 
sual religious enjoyments, which are the snare of 
thousands, by which he meant the awakening of the 
religious sympathy properly so called, yet that he had 
sometimes been tempted to a total relinquishment of 
his faith and to utter apostacy ; and he attributed 
this temptation to a deficiency of thorough instruction 
in the fundamental principles of Christianity. 

How often the observation of modern times gives 
us examples like the following : 

A young man had enjoyed the privilege of being 

1. What is the subject of this chapter 7 

2. What do you mean by this 1 

3. What was the confession of a distinguished man ? 

4. What were his doubts owing to 1 

5. What illustration is next given ^ 



ATTRIBUTES OP GOD PROVED. 23 

born ill a Christian land, had been favored with the 
prayers of a pious mother, had believed in Christian- 
ity as thousands believe in it, from mere habit and 
custom, and at an early age had taken his position in 
the Church and in the Sunday school, and was already 
regarded with high hope and strong confidence by 
Christian friends. A spirit of enterprise called him 
from home awhile, to reside in the more distant parts 
of our western country. New influences and associa- 
tions now surrounded him. Christianity was hardly 
known there as a practical system, and was scarcely 
ever named except in derision. Objections against 
the Bible (which have been answered a thousand 
times) now filled his ear, to which he was utterly 
unable to reply. He found himself continually baf- 
fled in argument, and at once regarded as ignorant, 
bigoted, and superstitious. The crafty infidel marked 
him as his prey ; and by means of intrigue, ridicule, 
sophistry, and flattery, soon demolished every frag- 
ment of his belief in the Gospel. His belief and his 
practice, as is usual in such cases, soon, corresponded 
with each other. His prayers were deserted, . His 
Bible was thrown aside. Irreverence and impiety 
were stamped upon his character. 

At length he returned home again to the bosom 
of his friends ; but, alas, it was only to robe them in 
sackcloth, and plunge them in deeper woe than they 



6. How was he early situated 1 7. What was his character 1 

8. To what influences was he exposed 1 

9. How did he meet them 7 



24 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD PROVED. 

would have felt in standing around his opened grave. 
Bitter indeed were the tears of a broken-hearted mo- 
therj which she shed, not over the death of the body, 
but over the spiritual death of his soul. And yet 
upon herself did a great share of that responsibility 
rest, in that she had failed to instruct him in the first 
principles of the Christian faith. 

There may be among those who peruse these pages, 
some who are not utter strangers to such temptations 
— some who at certain earnest moments of their lives, 
stop and ask, Is it not possible that I am mistaken in 
all my views of essential truth ? — some, in whose 
minds such doubts have never been solved, and will 
follow them down to the very chambers of death ? 

We must not always call such suggestions as these 
the temptations of Satan. Alas ! there is too much 
occasion for them, in that want of early instruction 
which prevails, and in that lack of thorough acquaint- 
ance with the fundamental truths of our most holy 
religion. Too often we fail to fortify our minds with 
evidences of truth, and then call our honest doubts 
devices of Satan ; and then, amid the heart-searching 
realities of death, are confused with uncertainties and 
doubts, because the power of truth does not support 
cur souls. 

Here, too, is the secret of that lamentable fact, that 
so many who go forth into the more destitutie portions 

10, To what was his apostacy owing 1 

11. Are such doubts common ? 12. What is their origin 1 

13. How are they to be avoided 1 

14. Are they temptations of Satan 1 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. . 25 

of our country, though once professed believers in 
(Christianity, though nominal, and perhaps exemplary 
disciples of Christ, soon lose their religious character, 
become apostates from the faith, and at length the 
most bitter revilers of that holy name and cause once 
so dear to their hearts. 

Such facts show us the importance of fortifying our 
minds with the truth, and of instructing the rising 
generation thoroughly in the first principles of the 
religion of Jesus Christ. 

Another consideration deserves notice. There is 
at the present day probably far less thorough acquaint- 
ance with the first truths of religion, and far more 
secret unbelief than is generally supposed, or than 
might be expected from the general prevalence of 
education. Religious education is little attended to, 
though it is the most important of all themes. Know- 
ledge, on all subjects, though more generally diffused 
than formerly, is yet less thorough and more super- 
ficial. First principles are too little regarded ; while 
the prevailing habit is, to fill the mind with a vast 
collection of facts, thrown together in a chaotic state, 
without order, system, or arrangement. 

Hence, we see the importance of pursuing with 
attention the course of argument in the present vol- 
ume. In God's strength (without which we can do no- 

15. What are the frequent results of such ignorance ? 

16. What should we infer 1 

17. What is the next consideration 1 

18. What characterizes the present system of education 1 

19. How should this lead us to regard the present examination ? 

3 



25 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD PROVED 

thing) may we be able to throw a shield of faith around 
some Christian heart, which the darts of the enemy 
cannot penetrate ; to dispel doubts from some in- 
quiring mind, and thus arm the soul against the mys- 
terious trials of life, and the stern conflicts of death. 

In our former chapter, we attended to some proofs 
of the existence of G-od, showing what is meant by the 
Being of God, and why we believe in His existence. 

The next question which naturally arises, and which 
is necessary as an introduction to our future investi- 
gation, is, what is the character of that Being whose 
existence we have already proved ? What attributes 
are proved to belong to Him, as reflected from the 
mere light of nature ? For, on these evidences we 
are to rely, as we shall approach other questions, here- 
after of great practical moment. 

Is that GrOD, whom the works of nature indicate, 
one^ or many? infinite, or finite? omnipotent, or im- 
potent ? omnipresent, or confined ? benevolent, or 
malevolent ? 

We think we can easily perceive, that from the 
works of nature alone, the G-od of nature is one^ eter- 
naL infinite^ omnipotent^ omnipresent^ omniscient^ and 
benevolent Being. 

This field, as every person will notice, is one of 
great magnitude ; to explore which, with the least 

20. On what are we dependent? 

21. What was the subject of the last chapter'? 

22. Where do we now look for our arguments % 

23. What shall we find the attributes of God to be 1 

24. What is the character of this field 1 ^ , 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 27 

faithfulness, must require strict attention, for it is as 
boundless and diversified as the universe of Gtod ; and 
might well demand years of labor, rather than the 
few brief moments to which we are now necessarily 
limited. 

Still, as the naturalist, by examining a mere frag- 
ment of the fossil remains of antiquity, is able to pro- 
nounce confidently as to the species to which the 
relics belonged ; and as the perfection of an artist, a 
sculptor, or a painter, is often exhibited by a mere 
touch of his hand, so also, in our present examination, 
if we can pronounce definitely upon a single one of 
the attributes of the Supreme Being, we shall thus 
catch at least a glimpse of the ineffable glory and 
majesty which encircle His throne. Besides, the pos- 
session of one infinite perfection, is a strong presump- 
tive argument that He possesses every such ^perfection. 

First. The light of nature proves the attribute of 
the Unity of God, or that Gtod is one. 

The argument is briefly this ; that throughout the 
whole natural world, we discover every where a unity 
of plan, a unity of order, and of purpose, which proves 
that that God who is the author of the natural world, 
is, and must be one, and not many. 

For, if there were more gods than one, we might 

25. What illustration is employed 1 

26. Is the possession of one attribute of the Deity any pre- 

sumptive argument of others ? 

27. What attribute is first examined ^ 

28. What is the course of argument '? 

29. If there were more gods than one, what would follow 1 



28 ATTPvIBUTES OF GOD PROVED 

have expected to find the results of that multiplicity 
in the contrariety of counsels by which they would be 
governed. We should have seen law warring against 
law, system against system, and disorder and confu- 
sion reigning in ruinous conflict. 

But it is not so. Every thing in the natural world 
exhibits the most perfect unity and complete har- 
mony, both of counsel and action. While there ap- 
pears before us variety of skill, and endless diversity 
of execution, yet there are, in, through, and above all, 
exhibited marks of one great, superintending, and 
presiding Spirit, controlling and directing all things 
to one great end. 

What we call the '' laws of nature," are so many 
proofs of the Unity of Groo. They are strong proofs 
of the uniformity of plan and counsel of Him who is 
the great author of all. Thus, throughout the whole 
animal world, and throughout the vegetable world, 
we always find certain uniform laws in existence, and 
we never find either animal or vegetable life without 
them. 

So also in the matter of which the earth is com- 
posed, we discover certain properties belonging to all 
bodies, and we never find the existence of matter 
without them. In every continent, in every newly 
discovered island, these same laws of nature always 

30. Are there any proofs of this 1 

31. What is perceptible in the laws of nature 1 

32. What do we always find in the animal and vegetable world*? 

33. How extensive are these laws 7 

34. Is matter ever found without them 1 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 29 

exist. As we turn the telescope toward the heavenly 
bodies, and bring them more perfectly within our 
field of vision, we there discover the very same laws 
which prevail on the earth. We witness their annual 
and diurnal revolution — their succession of seasons 
and of day and night, and the undeviating accuracy 
with which they move on in pleasing harmony together. 

Nay, more than this. In modern times, astrono- 
mers have detected some apparent irregularity in the 
motions of some of these bodies. They thought they 
detected some causes interfering with perfect har- 
mony, and the known regularity of nature's opera- 
tions led them to suppose that that disturbing cause 
must be some planetary body not as yet discovered. 
Not only this, but having ascertained where a heav- 
enly body might be situatedj which would exert the 
very influence, not attributable to any known cause, 
they turned the telescope to that point in the heav- 
ens, when, lo! behold! there lay concealed in the 
depths of space, the heavenly body, exerting its potent 
influence ; proof beyond dispute both of the harmony 
of nature, and also of the Unity of Gtod. 

The supposition is not groundless, that the whole 
starry heavens, including all the fixed stars, are parts 
of one great system, moving on in harmony and order 
around one common centre — system within system — 
urging on their silent, peaceful course together. 



35. What recent discovery illustrates this ? 

36. How was that planet first discovered 1 

37. What is probable concerning the starry heavens 1 

3* 



30 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD PROVED 

For, as we lose siglit entirely of some fixed stars 
in one portion of the heavens, while stars of the first 
magnitude fade away almost imperceptibly, so in an 
opposite direction, new fields of light break upon the 
vision ; and as the relative position of some heavenly 
bodies gradually changes, so it is supposed that the 
very point may yet be found, with some degree of 
certainty, around which the visible Universe of Gtod 
revolves. 

Again : the uniformity of the laws of nature is an 
acknowledged fact, upon which all men continually 
act. 

We believe that the sun will continue to rise and 
set, that the seasons of the year will succeed each 
other with perfect order, that the rains and dews wilL 
descend, that the seed of the husbandman will vege- 
tate in the earth — because we have learned, as a fact 
of experience, the uniformity with which the laws of 
nature are executed. And yet, all this is a strong ar- 
gument for the Unity of Gtod. 

For, if there were many gods, each being the source 
of law, and the idea of God supposes this, then the 
sun might sometimes cease to rise; and the earth, 
instead of rolling on in its orbit around its central lumi- 
nary, might rush impetuously into the depths of 
space, a world in ruins ! While every law of our 
own being, and of all being, might cease to act. 

38. Do all men practically believe in the uniformity of the 
laws of nature ? 39. State this more distinctly. 

40. State various circumstances in which they thus act. 

41. What is the next position 1 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 31 

But of all this we now have no apprehension, and 
imply truly ^ from this admitted fact, that Gtod is and 
must be One. 

Second. The light of nature proves that GtOd is not 
only One, but that He is a Being, of eternal exist- 
ence, of infinite knowledge, is everywhere present, and 
possessing almighty power. 

The proof from the light of nature that there is a 
God, and that that God is one^ proves also, of necessity, 
that He exists in the possession of all those attributes 
just now named. For the light of nature proves, not 
the fact of the bare existence of a Being whom we 
call God, but also the existence of certain attributes, 
which are combined together to form the perfect cha- 
racter of that Person whom we call God. If, there- 
fore, God is, and if He is One, as we have already 
proved, then He is One in the implied possession of 
all those attributes of character, which, as we have 
seen, shine forth in His works, and which prove His 
existence. 

He must be Eternal ; for He could not have been 
the Author of all things, without a previous eternal 
self-existence. 

He must be Omriiscient ; for He could not have 

4'2. What does the light of nature Drove in respect to these 
attributes 7 

43. Are not these attributes the result of the proof of His exist- 
ence 1 44. If God is one, what follows % 

45. Why must He be Eternal 1 

46. Why must He be Omniscient % 



32 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD PROVED 

been the wise Author of all things without a most 
perfect knowledge of all. 

He must he Omnipresent^ or He could not have 
filled immensity with His ever present sustaining 
power. 

And He must be Omnipotent ; for surely. He could 
not have brought into being all the works of His 
handS; without possessing boundless might. 

So that, as we perceive, the possession of these and 
all other perfect attributes of character follows, as a 
matter of necessity, upon our belief in Him as being 
ONE God. 

He must be before all ; He knows all ; He is 
present every where ; He can do all things. 

Third. Let us now, for a moment, consider the im- 
mensity of God's Being and Power. Let unfasten in 
our minds the truth of His Omnipresence and Omnip- 
otence. 

We begin to perceive the immensity of God's 
Being in what He is doing for ourselves. We cannot 
lift a finger, move a muscle, or exercise a volition with- 
out Him ; and yet, all that He is doing for each one 
of us. He is also doing, at the same moment, for each 
one of the hundreds of millions of human beings who 
live on the earth. But this thought scarcely touches 
the immensity of His Being. He exercises the same 

47. Why must He be Omnipresent 1 

48. Why must He be Omnipotent 1 

49. To what considerations are we next directed ? 

50. What do we mean by the immensity of God's being? 

51. How do we see it 1 52. How and where does it exist 1 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 33 

care, every moment, over every bird that flies in the 
air, every insect which creeps upon the earth, every 
tish which swims in the seas — nay, over every leaf of 
the forest, every lily and flower of the field, and every 
spire of grass. The idea of that immensity of 
Being greatly enlarges, as we consider the worlds on 
worlds in the realms of space ; which, though they 
seem like sparkling gems to the naked eye, become 
vast globes as viewed through the glass of the astron- 
omer, and seem fitted up for the abodes of living 
beings. What immensity of Being belongs to that 
God, on whom depends every living being which in- 
habits those innumerable worlds. And as we remem- 
ber that space is boundless, is infinite, who can con- 
ceive of the unknown worlds of life, and light, and 
love, with which that same Being has filled those un- 
fathomable depths'? 

Let us consider, also, the immensity of God's 
Power. 

We speak of the power of man, as seen in the monu- 
ments of ancient and modern times. And yet, na- 
ture is filled with monuments of God's Power, beyond 
all comparison, greater than these. 

The power of nations is seen in their navies and 
fleets ; and yet are they tossed like a feather upon 
God's mighty deep. 

We often speak of the grandeur of cities ; and yet 
the mere shaking of the earth overthrows them. 

53, Has space any limits? 54. What follows'? 

55. What consideration next follows '? 

56. In what is the power of nations seen 1 



34 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD PROVED 

Man's power is adequate only to mould or fashion 
the works of God already existing — God's Power is 
creative. He speaks, and creation springs forth at 
His word ; He speaks again, and creation vanishes in 
the twinkling of an eye. 

We cannot conceive adequately of the Power of 
God, We see one illustration of that Power in the 
force with which the planetary bodies move in their 
orbits. With a diameter of scores of thousands of 
miles these immense worlds speed their way, through 
their vast orbits with inconceivable velocity, and yet 
so gently that an infant's slumber is not broken. 
And, as we conceive of immensity of space, filled with 
such worlds and systems of worlds, all revolving with 
awful rapidity, and yet all upheld by the Arm of 
God, we have a thought of the Omnipotent Power of 
God, even as reflected in the light of nature, sufficient 
to appal the stoutest heart. Let us adore His ma- 
jesty. Let us revere His goodness. Let us avoid 
His displeasure. 

Fourth. The light of nature proves God to be a 
Benevolent Bei7ig. 

The heathen philosophers inferred from the mere 
light of nature that God must be good. The great 
moralist, Seneca, says : " The first act of worship is 

57. How is the power of God contrasted '\ 

58. Illustrate God's power in the motions of the planets. 

59. Their size and their orbits. 

60. How must we regard the power of God 7 

61. What attribute of God is next examined 1 

62. What did Seneca say 7 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 35 

to believe the Being of God ; and the next, to ascribe 
majesty or greatness to Him, and to ascribe goodness^ 
without which there can be no greatness." And this 
belief in Gtod's goodness, Seneca also says, was the 
foundation of all their religion, their prayers, and 
their praise. 

We have proofs of God's goodness in the adapta- 
tion of the physical creation to the promotion of ^ 
human happiness. 

There was no necessity that God should paint the 
sky, the fields, and the forests, with the most agree- 
able of all colors to the natural eye. 

There was no necessity that God should perfume 
the air with fragrance, or spangle the earth with 
flowers. 

There was no necessity that he should give the at- 
mosphere power to fall upon the ear in such sweet 
and rich harmony of sounds. 

Surely, there was no necessity why God should thus 
make 

" All nature beauty to the eye, 
And music to the ear ;" 

and yet, God has filled creation with beauty, and 
glory, and wonder ; has lavished the treasures of his 

63. Where have we proofs of the goodness of God ? 

64. What proof in the prevalence of certain colors 1 

65. What in the existence of the flowers of the field ? 

QQ. What in the atmosphere '? 67. What has God done *? 

68. Was there any necessity of this 1 

69. Is this adaptation proof of goodness 1 



S6 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD PROVED 

wisdom in multiplying sources of enjoyment on every 
hand. And then, He has hidden in the human soul 
a deep fountain of feeling, a susceptibility of emotion 
from the presentation of such objects. 

Having drawn across that sacred harp within the 
tender strings, taste, sentiment, love of the beautiful, 
He has then given to nature without, power to awaken 
from that harp tones of the sweetest music. 

There was no necessity for this wonderful and wide- 
spread adaptation of the natural world to human hap- 
piness. Its existence, therefore, is a signal proof of 
the benevolence of God. 

We see another illustration of the benevolence of 
God in still other sources of happiness provided for 
his intelligent creatures. In the pleasures of thought^ 
the pleasures of memory, the pleasures of the imagi- 
nation and fancy, the pleasure felt in the conscious 
power of soaring above a physical world into regions 
of truth, and holding communion with the great 
Author of all being. 

Again : We see another illustration of the benevo- 
lence of God in the happiness with which the animal 
world is filled. 

Let him who doubts whether God is benevolent, 
take his position, at some hour of the morning, upon 
the banks of the rolling stream, beneath the over- 

70. With what has God endowed man 1 

71. What proof in the sources of intellectual enjoyment^ 

72. What are these ? 73. Are they important 1 

74. What proof in the animal creation '? 

75. What is the objector exhorted to do '? 



FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 37 

hanging foliage of the forest, as the rising sun awa- 
kens the tide of life, and then decide the question as 
to the goodness of God. 

Beneath him, the fish are leaping up from their na- 
tive element in sportive enjoyment ; around him are 
innumerable tribes of happy insects, rejoicing in their 
being ; above him, the trees are full of warbling birds, 
and the whole forest is vocal with the sweetest music. 
The air, perfumed with flowers, is wafted to him from 
the fields of nature. And, as his soul drinks in this 
full tide of beauty, and music, and love, let him say 
whether the Author of all this must not be a benevo- 
lent Being ? 

Fifth. In contrast with all this, there may seem, to a 
superficial observer, to be a darker shade to the pic- 
ture — as in the lightnings and storms, the raging of 
the elements of nature ; in the sickness, disappoint- 
ments, and trials incident to human existence even in 
its best estate ; in the sufiferings of the brute and ani- 
mal creation ; and in the admission into the world of 
so much moral evil. 

But, in the language of the poet, 

'' There is some soul of goodness in things evil, 
Would men, observingly, distil it out." 



76. What does he find around him 1 

77. Have we ever felt the force of this argument ourselves 1 

78. Must not the Source of so much love be Himself Love 1 

79. Is not this true of human character*? 

80. From what does an objection sometimes arise ? 

81. Name the sources of some of these objections. 

4 



38 ATTRIBUTES OP GOD PROVED 

The raging of the elements, the lightnings, and the 
storms, purify the atmosphere from noxious vapors, 
and render it healthful. 

The trials, disappointments, and sorrows of life are 
far from being unmixed evils. They are disciplinary 
in their character ; the loving chastisements of a Fa- 
ther, and adapted to develope the noblest feelings of 
our nature. 

The sufferings of the animal and brute creation 
may be greatly exaggerated ; may be really as nothing 
in comparison with the amount of happiness actually 
enjoyed ; may arise from a constitution of their being, 
on the whole, benevolent, and may have other linoral 
and salutary uses, which now we cannot understand. 

And, as to the admission into the world of moral 
evil, of sin and its consequences, it may have arisen 
from that freedom of volition which God has not 
deemed it, on the whole, wise to prevent ; while we 
may observe here, that this whole subject of moral 
evil can only be understood aright in its relation to 
the character of God, when viewed in the light of that 
great Kemedy, adequate to man's wants, found in the 
gospel of God's Son. 

83. What would you reply respecting the existence of storms 1 

83. What respecting trials and afflictions'? 

84. Do they prove that God is not good 7 

85. May they not be proofs of goodness? 

86. What would you say respecting suffering in the animal 

or brute creation 1 

87. What would you reply respecting moral evil 1 

88. Does not the revelation of a Remedy throw great light 

upon this subject 1 



■FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE, 39- 

Thus vanish away the apparent objections to the 
benevolence of Gtod. 

Out* examination, in the present chapter, has made 
us acquainted with several of the attributes of Groi) 
as exhibited in the works of His hand. We have seen 
that the Gtod of nature must be an eternal, omniscient, 
omnipresent, omnipotent, and benevolent Being. 

Concluding Reflections. — First. How important 
and profitable to us to contemplate the character of 
God, as seen in His works ! 

If, by a law of our being, association with others of 
our own species wiser and better than ourselves, tends 
to impress oipon ourselves something of that wiser and 
better character, then how will familiar contemplation 
of the perfect character of God, as seen in His works, 
tend to spiritualize and ennoble our minds ! 

At least, it will help to check presumptuous trans- 
gression, to curb unholy tempers, and to reform the 
irregularity of the life, if we will bring, frequently and 
vividly, before our minds the truth of the omniscience, 
omnipresence, omnipotence, and benevolence of the 
Divine Being. No depths of depravity, no shades of 
adversity, no bitter waters of affliction, no bright 
scenes of bliss, can ever prevent our being the crea- 
tures of such a God, 

89. What, then, do God's attributes seem to be 1 

90. What is the first concluding reflection'? 

91. What would be the effect of contemplating the divine 

character 1 [power of God. 

93. Can we flee from the presence, or hide ourselves from the 



40 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD PROVED. 

Second. If this worldj which is hut the footstool of 
the Almighty, bears so many marks upon it of beauty 
and love, what a world of perfection and beauty that 
must be, which is the more immediate abode, and is 
honored with the abiding presence of the Deity. 

" Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have 
entered into the heart of man, the things which God 
hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Cor. ii. 9. 

93. What is the next reflection 1 

94. Is there not in all probability a world more beautiful than 

this ^ 95. What considerations imply this 1 

96, Have there not been conceptions of such a world among 

all nations ? 

97. What motives may be drawn from it 1 



CHAPTER 111. 

PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY OF A REVELATION 

In the previous cliapters v/e have proved, from tlie 
light of nature, the facts of the existence of Gtod, and 
of His possessing certain attributes of character. We 
have read, even in the book of nature, that Gtod is 
One, Infinite, Eternal, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Om- 
nipresent, and Benevolent. 

As we advance, however, with the subject, we ap- 
proach other questions of great importance, and of 
deep, personal interest Let us, as becomes searchers 
after truth, divest ourselves of all prejudice, and give 
to the subject our earnest attention, and the exercise 
of an unbiassed judgment. 

The question which we now approach, is. Has 
God, whose existence and attributes we have proved, 
besides that manifestation of his character which ap- 
pears in His works, also made a more perfect reve- 
lation of His WILL, in what is called His word ? It 

1. What subjects have been examined in previous chapters *? 

2. With what feelings should we approach questions now be- 

fore us 1 3. What is the subject of the present chapter 7 

4# 



42 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

is the question of a revelation which shall be to us 
the medium of clearer knowledge, the rule of our 
life, the measure of our hopes, as well as the source 
of our fears. 

First. There is nothing absurd or improbable in the 
supposition, that God should make a more particular 
revelation of His will to His intelligent creatures 
than He has already made in His works. 

To suppose that God could not do this, would im- 
peach His omnipotence, an essential attribute of His 
character. 

To suppose that He icould not do it, might be to 
impeach His wisdom and benevolence. 

To suppose, as some infidels have, that no evidence 
can be sufficient to us, of such a revelation having 
been made, is to take for granted the very thing to 
be proved. 

But, in truth, there is nothing at all improbable in 
the supposition of such a revelation. 

God has brought into existence an order of rational, 
intelligent beings, formed with a union of the ma- 
terial body with the immaterial soul — the immaterial 
being made dependent upon the material for much of 
its knowledge and happiness. That immaterial mind, 
having the powers of memory, of consciousness, of 
reason and of anticipation, feels within itself a thou- 
sand wants which the book of nature cannot supply, 



4. State the argument from the perfections of God. 

5. State the argument from the twofold nature of man. 

6. State the argument from the ignorance of man. 



OF A REVELATION. 43 

and asks a thousand questions which the light o£f na- 
ture cannot answer. These wants and these questions 
are but the natural language of the mind, as created 
by its Author. And there is nothing improbable in 
supposing that He, who formed the mind, should make 
provision for these its real necessities. 

For example, it is a question which the mind has 
often asked, Is the soul itself immortal? And yet, 
that question, so important, the light of nature never 
fully or clearly answered ; and that question, once 
raised, involves others of the greatest moment. For, 
if immortal, where shall it be ? how shall it be ? 
And if its present state of being is preparatory to 
another, as analogy from nature might lead it to sup- 
pose, what is that needful preparation ? Surely, it is 
not improbable that a God of wisdom and love should 
furnish the answer to such questions. 

Besides these questions, it has wants of another 
kind. The soul feels within itself the existence, the 
claims, and the power of a law of rectitude, commonly 
called conscience. And yet it is equally conscious of 
having neglected duties imposed by that law, and vio- 
lated that law, and hence of incurring guilt. The 
mind asks, then, what must be the consequence, the 
penalty of a violation of this inward law of conscience, 
this law of God ? Will the Author of that law, whose 
displeasure is thus incurred, inflict punishment 1 if 
so, what degree ? and can that displeasure be avert- 
ed, and the offence be forgiven ? 

7. What are some of those questions which the Ijght of na- 
ture does not answer % 



44 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

These are important questions. It will not silence 
the restlessness of the mind to reply that these, its 
yearnings after truth, pertaining to its duty and des- 
tiny, are of little moment. It feels, and feels deeply, 
that the question of its own immortality is one of 
momentous import. And certainly there is nothing 
improbable in the supposition, that a GrOD of wisdom 
and love should make a revelation to the mind suited 
to these its real wants. 

Again : Not only does it seem probable that God 
should, make a revelation to his intelligent creatures, 
but the wisest men who have ever lived without the 
light of revelation, have acknowledged its necessity. 

The pagan philosopher, Plato, relates the following 
affecting story in point. He says that Alcibiades, on one 
occasion, was going up to a heathen temple to offer up 
his prayers, when he was met by the heathen philoso- 
pher, Socrates. Socrates began to urge upon Alcibi- 
ades that he did not know what to pray for, and that 
it was not safe for him to pray till God slK)uld dispel 
the darkness of his mind, that he might discern be- 
tween good and evil. Alcibiades replied, '' I think I 
must defer my sacrifices to that time." Socrates 
answered, " You have reason ; it is more safe to do so 
than to run so great a hazard." 

Here we have three among the wisest of men who 
ever lived without revelation, Plato, Socrates, and 



8. Are these questions important 1 

9. State the next general argument. 

10. Give the statement of Plato. 



OF A REVELATION. 45 

Alcibiades, acknowledging the great blindness of 
man as to his chief good, under the mere light of na- 
ture. 

Another pagan of great note, Jamblichus, in his 
life of Pythagoras, says, " It is manifest that those 
things are to be done which are pleasing to Gtod ; but 
what they are it is not easy to know, except man were 
taught them by God Himself, or by some person who 
had received them from God, or obtained the know- 
ledge of them by some divine means." — Jamh. in Vit. 
Fythag.^ cap. 28. Indeed, all the greater philosophers, 
especially the later followers of Plato, owned the 
absolute necessity of divine illumination, or revelation 
from God. 

Cicero, the great Roman orator, speaking of the ig- 
norance of the philosophers, uses this language: 
" With Zeno, as we understand him, Arcesilas pre- 
scribes to himself a universal uncertainty ; not from 
perverseness, nor from the desire of victory, as indeed 
it seems to me, but from the obscurity of those things 
which led Socrates to the confession of his ignorance ; 
and before the time of Socrates, Democritus, Anaxa- 
goras, Empedocles, almost all the ancients ; who 
maintained that nothing could be understood, nothing 
could be perceived, nothing could be known ; that the 
senses of men were narrow inlets, that their minds 
were imbecile, that the race of life was short, and that 
truth was buried in the deep ; in fine, that everything 

11. Relate the testimony of Jamblichus. 

12. What does Cicero say concerning the ignorance of men 1 



46 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

was surrounded with darkness." — Cic. Acad.^ lib. 1. 
xii. 44, p. 127: Paris, 1768. 

And a more modern writer, having shut his eyes 
upon revelation, and consulted the old philosophers 
has the following language : '- 1 consulted the philoso- 
phers ; I ransacked their books ; I examined their 
various opinions. I found them all proud, dictatorial, 
dogmatical, even in their pretended skepticism ; pro- 
fessedly ignorant of nothing, yet proving nothing. I 
conceived that the weAkness of the human understand- 
ing is the first cause of this prodigious diversity of 
sentiment, and that pride is the second. We are ig- 
norant of ourselves, we know neither our nature nor 
our active principle — impenetrable mystery surrounds 
us on every side — they are above the region of our 
sensation ; in order to penetrate them we think that 
we have intelligence, and we have nothing but imagi- 
nation." — Rousseau^ Emile^ tom. II., p. 140, 141. 

Such is only a brief specimen of the confessions of 
the wisest of men who have lived, having no other 
light than that of nature — confessions proving that, 
clearly as that light reflects some most important 
truths, yet that there are other questions, of vast im- 
port, on which the light of nature throws not one 
glimmering ray. 

Again : We shall see the need and probability of a 
revelation still more clearly in the fact, that not only 



13. State the confession of Rousseau. 

14. What is the inference from this testimony'? 

15. What is the next general argument ? 



OF A REVELATION. 47 

under the light of nature is there great ignorance re- 
specting truth and duty, but that truths and duties, 
so far as made known, lack power of motive to render 
them efficacious. 

Admit that certain duties to GtOD, to our fellow- 
men, and to ourselves, were discoverable by the light 
of nature ; yet they were only perceived by a few 
philosophers, who had little agreement among them- 
selves as to what those duties are ; and between whom 
and the great mass of mankind there was little mutual 
sympathy. Plato says, " The generality of men were 
unfavorably affected towards philosophy ; and thus 
the future world, at best being but a conjecture, a 
final retribution conceived of, rather as a dream than 
a living reality ; even though some philosophers des- 
canted upon the pleasures, and some poets sang the 
beauties of virtue, yet what power could virtue have, 
when so taught and so feebly felt, to stem the torrent 
of human passion, to overthrow and uproot the vices 
of the world, and to make men virtuous and happy !" 

Over the world of moral darkness no light was 
thrown save that which glimmered from here and there 
a wandering star ! The instrument for the destruc- 
tion of vice at best a dull one, and yet no power 
found to bring it to bear upon the root of the tree ! 
Virtue dimly seen, and no motive strong enough to 

16. Were moral duties clearly perceived 7 

17. Did the philosophers agree among themselves '? 

18. Had these duties any hold upon the public mind 1 

19. Was there not need of motive to enforce them 1 

20. What motives have we which they had not 'J 



48 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

make it efficacious upon the hearts and lives of men 1 
As Lactantius, a heathen philosopher says, " Their 
precepts have no weight because they are human, and 
need a greater authority, even a divine one. No man, 
therefore, believes them, because he that hears them, 
looks upon him that gives those precepts to be a man 
as well as himself." — Lac. Divin. Ins.^ lib. iii., cap. 27, 
p. 330. 

Again : If we examine the actual condition of man- 
kind, under the mere light of nature, we shall see that 
all which has been said of the obscurity of truth, and 
the weakness of the power of motive, is practically 
true. 

This is evident in the number and the character of 
the gods which have been worshipped. Having re- 
volted from the true God, men have placed upon the 
throne, and have fallen down and worshipped before 
an endless variety of imaginary deities. Gods were 
multiplied to such an extent, that whatever in nature 
was looked upon as a source of good or evil, came to 
be regarded as a deity, or as having within itself a 
deity. 

In Hindostan, as a learned writer states, '^the poly- 
theism is of the grossest kind ; not fewer than three 

21. What does Lactantius confess'? 

22. What is the next general argument '\ 

23. What do you know respecting the number of gods % 

24. What was the character of their gods 1 

25. What is the prevalence of polytheism in Hindostan ? 

26. What is polytheism % 

27. Which command of the decalogue is thus broken 1 



OF A REVELATION. 49 

hundred and thirty millions of deities claiming the 
adoration of their worshippers." — Hornets Int.^ vol, i., 
p. 21. While the "Chinese have gods celestial, ter- 
restrial, and subterraneous ; gods of the hills, of the 
valleys, of the woods of the districts, of the families, 
of the shop, and of the kitchen ; gods that are sup- 
posed to preside over the thunder, the rain, the fire, 
over the grain, over diseases, births, and deaths." — 
Ibid.^ p. 21. 

These deities were also of every variety of character, 
Egypt, in her brightest days, worshipped a calf, and 
paid homage to almost all kinds of brutes and ani- 
mals, even the most loathsome and disgusting, as ser- 
pents and reptiles. Plutarch asserts, that among 
pagans worship was paid to evil beings, as such, while 
to their deities were ascribed all the vile passions of 
our own impure nature. So polluting are the pages 
of heathen mythology, even of the most enlightened 
nations of the pagan world, as Greece and Eome, that 
they are unfit to be spread before the mind of a vir- 
tuous youth. And yet these are the gods of human 
nature, in its brightest days, without a Revelation 
from Heaven. 

The worship and sacrifices offered to these gods 

28. Describe the polytheism of China. 

29. What was the polytheism of Egypt 1 

30. Was Egypt highly civilized % 

31. Were ''evil beings" worshipped'? 

32. What author asserts this 1 

33. What is the character of heathen mythology *? 

34. What was the character of the worship 1 

5 



50 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

were equally corrupt. The Sibylline oracles, whicli 
were held among the Romans in the highest venera- 
tion, expressly demanded human sacrifices for the 
gods ; while on the banks of the Ganges, and before 
the car of Juggernaut, in China, and in Africa, mil- 
lions of children and infants, of widows and orphans, 
of the old and the young, have been slain on the altars 
of their deities. 

Their rites were also exceedingly impure. Before 
some of the gods the most scandalous vices were 
practised, as tributes to their deities. The feasts of 
Bacchus and Saturn, and others of their gods and 
goddesses, were celebrated with every species of drunk- 
enness and debauchery. 

If such was the character of their gods and of their 
worship, what was the moral condition of the people 
themselves ? 

St. Paul draws the following sketch of men under 
the light of nature : '-' Griven up unto vile affections," 
" filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wicked- 
ness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, mur- 
der, debate, deceit, malignity ; whisperers, backbiters, 
haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors 
of evil things, disobedient to parents, without under- 
standing, covenant breakers, without natural affection, 
implacable, unmerciful" (Rom. i. 29-31). And the 

35. What did the Sibylline oracles demand'? 

36. Is this true in other places, and where 1 

37. What were the rites '? 

38. What was the character of the people 1 

39. Relate St. Paul's description. 



OF A REVELATION. 51 

true history of the heathen world is but a living com- 
mentary on the statement of the inspired page. 

Many of the great sages of the pagans, by their 
instructions, actually countenanced the practice of 
almost every vice. Lycurgus, the Spartan lawgiver, 
encouraged by express statute the crime of theft. 
Seneca and Cicero pleaded for self-murder. Menander 
said, that " a lie is better than a hurtful truth." 
Plato said, "He may lie who knows how to do it 
in a suitable time." Other examples need not be 
repeated. 

The example of these teachers corresponded with 
their teachings. Cato, dissatisfied with the world and 
with Providence, committed the crime of self-murder. 
Brutus exclaimed, " Virtue ! I have pursued thee in 
vain, and found thee to be an empty name " — and 
then put an end to his own life. Among the people, 
every species of vice, crime, and cruelty, was eagerly 
pursued. Falsehood, deceit, theft, cruelty, ingrati- 
tude, perjury, revenge, murder, slaughter of prisoners, 
these have been prevalent vices among them. In the 
province of Bengal, for example, it was said lately, that 
not less than ten thousand children are murdered 
every month : while in almost every portion of the 

40. Where is that description found % 

41. Does profane history confirm it % 

42. What do you mean by profane history ^ 

43. Was vice encouraged? 44. When, and by whom 1 

45. What was the example of the teachers 1 

46. What was the state of public morals ? 

47. State the condition of society in Bengal 



62 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

heathen world, may be heard the shrieks and groans 
of helpless victims. 

It is true, that we sometimes hear men speak of 
society in its native state, under the light of nature, 
as one of great simplicity and innocence. And, "be- 
yond doubt, the darkest shades of depravity exist 
where the greatest degree of light has been resisted. 
But yet a state of innocence and simplicity, under the 
mere light of nature, or any thing like this, is a mere 
land of dreams, which has never yet been found to 
exist. 

What, for example, was the moral state of society 
among the aborigines of this Western Continent, 
when it was first brought within the knowledge of the 
Eastern world ? In Mexico, of all places on the con- 
tinent, civilization seemed to have done most to raise 
men in the scale of being. Here, then, we might 
surely look to find the light of nature exerting its 
power to render society pure and happy. 

But as a matter of fact, the historian tells us ano- 
ther story. He says, " Like the rude tribes around 
them, the Mexicans were incessantly engaged in war ; 
and the motives which prompted them to hostility 
seem to have been the same. They fought, in order 

48. Is society sometimes described differently ? 

49. Has such a state ever been found ? If so, where 1 

50. Where must the greatest depravity always exist ? 

51. What lesson of instruction do we learn from this? 

52. Might we have expected the most favorable picture in our 

own country, when first discovered ? 53. Why 1 
54. What people are selected as an example % 55. Why 1 



OF A REVELATION. 53 

to gratify their vengeance by shedding the blood of 
their enemies. No captive was ever ransomed or 
spared. All were sacrificed, without mercy, and their 
flesh devoured with the same barbarous joy as among 
the fiercest savages. On some occasions, it rose to 

even wilder excesses Their funeral rites were 

not less bloody than those of the most savage tribes. 
On the death of any distinguished personage, espe- 
cially of the emperor, a certain number of his attend- 
ants were chosen to accompany him to the other 
world, and those unfortunate victims were put to 
death without mercy, and buried in the same tomb." 
— Robertson's Hist Am.^ vol. ii. §§ 20, 21. 

The early Spanish historians tell frightful stories 
of the sacrifice of human life in Mexico to their gods. 
One author, Gomara, relates, that no year were there 
less than 20,000 human victims offered to their divini- 
ties, and that some years the number was as great as 
50,000. Another author, Herrera, states, that some- 
times not less than 20,000 human victims were sacri- 
ficed in a single day. Another author, Torquemada, 
says, that 20,000 children were slaughtered annually, 
exclusive of other victims. And Zumarraga, the first 
Bishop of Mexico, declares, in A.D. 1631, that the 

56. How did they treat prisoners of war ? 

57. Why did they engage in war 7 

58. What were their funeral rites ? 

59. Were human victims offered in sacrifice % 
€0. What does Gomara relate 1 

61. Give the testimony of other authors, 
5# 



54 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

Mexicans sacrificed annually 20,000 human victims. 
— Robertson^ s Hist. Am.^ vol. ii., p. 276. 

Even allowing that these statements by these seve- 
ral authors were greatly exaggerated, and we still 
have proof enough of the thick moral darkness which 
overhung Mexico when the light of nature was their 
only guide. For we behold a nation, so far civilized 
as to have built large cities, and erected splendid 
monuments which are at once our wonder and admi- 
ration, yet, notwithstanding all this, actually feasting 
as cannibals upon the warm blood of their victims 
slain in war, and butchering thousands and tens of 
thousands of their own little children, every year, 
upon the altars of their gods. 

And where, throughout the whole pagan world, 
shall we find the prospect more cheering? Shall it 
be in civilized China, where the crime of infanticide 
destroys thousands of infants every year % Shall it 
be in Hindostan, where but lately ten thousand 
widows were annually burnt on the funeral pile with 
their husbands ? Shall it be in the dark, gloomy 
recesses of Africa, where virtue has fled for shame, 
and where every vice fearfully prevails % 

The truth is, that every where beneath the sun, so 
far as information has made known their condition to 
us, the same melancholy picture meets us, concerning 
the condition of society when left to themselves. 



62. What conclusion do we draw % 

63. Is the picture elsewhere more cheering ? 

64. What other portions of the world give their testimony % 



OF A REVELATION. 55 

Amid the classic fields and academic shades of 
G-reece, the cry comes up — from the altars of heathen- 
ism, where Alcibiades and Socrates bowed in blind- 
ness, the voice is heard — from the thousands and tens 
of thousands of human victims offered in sacrifice in 
the Temple of the Sun, the echo answers — ^from the 
cries, the weeping, the lamentation, under which the 
earth groans, and over which Heaven weeps, angels 
pity, and God compassionates— from all these scenes 
of mental ignorance, moral bondage, and spiritual 
death, the cry arises, calling upon a God of Nature 
and of Love, to pour upon them light from heaven- — 
the light of a clearer Revelation ! — to tell them what 
they are, whither they are bound, and how they shall 
live, if they live at all, in that futurity which throws 
its dim and distant light upon their bewildered 
vision ! 

This, then, is our argument, drawn from the moral 
condition of society, to prove the probability that 
God would not turn away his eye from the real wants 
of his creatures. 

Again : Our next and final argument upon this 
subject, is drawn from the almost universal belief, not 



65. Has any nation ever been discovered without a Revela- 

tion, which did not need it ? 

66. If God has made a Revelation ought it to be withheld 1 

67. Have we a right to withhold it because it may be abused 1 

68. Is not this sometimes urged 1 

69. With whose prerogative does it interfere '? 

70. Are not duties ours, and events God's 1 

71. What is the next general argument 1 



56 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

only in the necessity of a Revelation, but also in the 
fact that a Revelation has actually been made. 

For some reason, almost the whole world of man- 
kind have agreed in bearing testimony to the fact, 
that GroD, or the gods, have made revelations to men. 
As we read the literature of the pagan world, of 
Greece and Rome — as we study the writings of their 
poets and philosophers, we find almost every page 
breathing with the supposed presence of their divini- 
ties, speaking in oracles and uttering responses, and 
these pretended revelations gaining the credence of 
almost the whole world around them. 

No Jew ever read the books of Moses, no Christian 
the pages of the New Testament, with more implicit 
confidence, than the Mahometan turns to the pages 
of the Koran, or than the Egyptians, the Greeks, the 
Romans, the Chinese, or the Hindoos, consult the 
pretended oracles of their gods. This consultation 
of the deities became a science. Theurgy, so called, 
or magic, in which men were trained up to the em- 
ployment of reading the mysteries of the invisible 
world. Hence arose the astrologers, the necroman- 
cers, and magicians, whose hold upon the popular 
mind was stronger almost than the power of Christian 
faith upon its believers ; and without whose permis- 
sion no war was undertaken, or worldly business 
prosecuted. 

At some times, the more enlightened of the hea- 



72. Have not society believed in the fact of a Revelation 1 

73. What does this general belief imply 1 



OF A REVELATION. 57 

thens, seeing the open frauds and bare-faced imposi- 
tions which were practised under the pretence of 
religious sanction ; seeing, too, how readily and 
foolishly the masses of the people stupidly swallowed 
down the grossest impostures, seem to have thoroughly 
revolted from the whole system. And yet they saw, 
also, that without such a sanction, religion would have 
no hold upon the people, and society would rage in 
chaos; and so they absolutely dare not disturb a 
system which they could not receive, which they 
knew to be rotten to the core, and yet which they 
saw so necessary to be believed on the part of the 
people. 

And yet, even these sages and wise men seem at 
times to have bowed down to their idols as stupidly 
as the most abject slave. Even Socrates, the great 
and the wise, ordered that at his death a fowl should 
be sacrificed to Esculapius, the god of medicine. 
The truth was, they saw and felt that there must be, 
somewhere, the presence and intervention of an over- 
ruling Deity, and yet they saw with equal clearness 
that the whole system of popular mythology, in which 
more than thirty thousand gods were blended together, 
warring with each other, must be a gross delusion. 

We offer, then, this fact, of the universal belief of 

74. Did not the wiser pagans reject the heathen mythology 1 

75. Why ? 76. Did they publicly proclaim their disbelief? 
77. Were they not grossly inconsistent '? 

'78. Did they not thus acknowledge the necessity of a Reve- 
lation 1 79. Relate the account of Sdcrates. 
80. What do we infer from this general argument ? 



58 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY 

a Revelation, as an argument in proof that God has 
made such a Revelation, suited to the acknowledged 
wants and necessities of his creatures. 

To say that no Revelation was necessary, is to 
deny the fact of the acknowledged wants of a world. 
To say that none has ever been made, is to dispute 
the universal consent of mankind. 

We commend the arguments already adduced to 
the inquiring and candid reader, in proof of the ;?ro^- 
ahility and necessity of a Revelation from Gtod to man. 

The fact of man's acknowledged ignorance by nature 
upon questions of the greatest moment to him ; — 

The fact ^ that the wisest of men, without a Revela- 
tion, have often borne witness to its necessity ; — 

The fact ^ that natural duties, even so far as taught, 
lack power of motive to make them efficacious ; — 

The fact of the degraded moral condition of man, 
when left to himself, as seen even under the most 
favorable circumstances ; — 

And the fact ^ that a universal belief in a Revelation 
is found to prevail. 

These are some of the main arguments to prove 
that a God of Wisdom and of Love would, in all 
probability, make provision for such essential wants. 

81. Relate in their order the arguments in proof of the prob- 

ability and necessity of a Revelation. 

82. Which of these do you regard as the strongest ? 

83. If God has made a Revelation ought we not to receive it, 

whether we can see the reasons or not ? 

84. Have we not proofs, in the above reasons, of the wisdom 

and love of God ? 



OF A REVELATION. DU 

Let the reader ponder well these arguments, in all 
their bearings, and then say, if we have not proved 
that a Kevelation from God to man is both probable 
and jiecessary. 

Concluding Keflection. — The course of argument 
pursued in this chapter, exhibits at once the great- 
ness and the weakness of the human mind. 

As we see man, unaided by Revelation, looking 
from nature up to nature's GrOD ; as we see him, from 
things tangible and visible, grasping after things in- 
visible ; from things mortal, dreaming of an immor- 
tality to come ; from things temporal and changing, 
conceiving in his own mind of things eternal and un- 
changeable ]— 

As we turn and survey his works of art — splendid 
cities, imposing columns, monuments towering in the 
heavens ; — 

Or, as we admire the triumphs of genius, in the 
harmony of its numbers, in the sweetly-flowing melody 
of its verse, in the masculine power of its oratory, and 
especially in the living, breathing exhibitions of the 
marble and the canvass — we cannot withhold the 
tribute of our wonder and admiration. 

But then again, on the other hand, how are all these 
beautiful associations lost in shame and mortification, 

85. Does not a survey of the heathen world display the capa- 
city of the human mind ? 86. Show how. 

87. Does it not prove its weakness '? 88. State why. 

89, What feelings towards God should we cherish in view of 
the above ars^ument % 



60 PROBABILITY AND NECESSITY OF A REVELATION. 

as we turn and see, in contrast with all this, Egyptian 
mind in its loftiest heights, and Grecian and Roman 
intellect, even in its most brilliant triumphs, bowing 
down to worship, not only the most loathsome reptiles 
of the earth, but making to itself gods, which are mon- 
sters of cruelty and crime ! 

Such is the human mind, when estranged from the 
true Gob. Let the deepest gratitude warm our hearts, 
that the God whom we worship is infinitely worthy 
of our devoutest love, our humblest adoration, our 
loftiest praise, our most perfect obedience. 

90. What conduct should we exhibit 1 

91. What is the amount of our responsibility 1 



CHAPTER IV. 

AUTHENTICITY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 

In our last chapter, we examined the subject of the 
Probability and Necessity of a Revelation from GrOD. 
We inferred that probability and necessity from the 
known character of the Supreme Being, from man's 
acknowledged ignorance upon questions of the great- 
est moment to him, from the inability of the mere 
light of nature to answer those questions, from the 
openly and oft-avowed confession of such necessity on 
the part of those destitute of Revelation, and from the 
deplorable moral condition of the great mass of man- 
kind who have lived in such destitution. 

We come now to another most important point. 
We have in our hands a Book, which professes to be 
that Revelation from God. It is divided into the 
Books of the Old and New Testaments. 

The question upon which we enter ^ in the present 
chapter, is, what evidence have we that the scriptures 

1. What was the subject of the last chapter 1 

2. What was the basis and substance of our argument 1 Re- 

peat it. 3. What subject is next introduced 1 
6 



62 AUTHENTICTTY OP 

of the Old and New Testaments are a Revelation from 
God? 

We think we have proved already the probability 
and necessity of a Revelation. Even if we have failed 
in presenting that argument, the Revelation itself 
comes to us, not merely with the authority of a proba- 
bility or necessity, which we have inferred, but upon 
the strength of its own external and internal evidences ; 
and upon the strength of such other testimony as Gtod 
in His wisdom and goodness has thrown around it. 

To the examination of these evidences we now 
come. The field is a vast one. The evidences are 
of different kinds. All that we can attempt is, to 
bring together, in a brief compass, a few of these 
proofs ; enough, however, we hope, to satisfy the mind 
of an inquirer of the claim which the word of God has 
upon his reception and obedience. 

The reader is requested not to pronounce his final 
decision upon the considerations given in the present 
chapter, but to suspend the verdict of his judgment 
until we shall have laid before him, in the present 
and a few following chapters, some of those arguments 
which have carried the conviction of the greatest 
minds, that the Bible is, indeed, what it professes to 
be, a Revelation to us from our kind Heavenly Father. 

The points which are to occupy our attention in 
the present and the two following chapters, are the 

4. Upon what arguments does this question rest 1 

5. What is the character of this field ? 

6. What are the evidences ? 7. What is asked of the reader % 
8. What points are to be examined 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 63 

genuineness, the authenticity, and the inspiration of 
the Holy Scriptures — to each of which terms we will 
first offer a brief explanation. 

By genuineness^ we mean that the Books of the Old 
and New Testaments are the genuine works of the 
persons whose names they bear, or to whom they are 
ascribed ; and not the spurious productions of other 
persons, and other times. 

By authenticity^ we mean that these books are works 
which can be safely relied upon, as containing true 
and reliable statements upon the subjects of which 
they treat. 

By inspiration, we mean that God " imparted such 
a degree of divine assistance, influence, or guidance^ 
as should enable the authors of the Holy Scriptures 
to communicate religious knowledge to others without 
error or mistake, whether the subjects of such com- 
munications were things then immediately revealed 
to those who declared them, or things with which they 
were before acquainted." 

In distinction from this view of inspiration, two 
opposite and dangerous errors have been held, which 
deserve attention. 

Thus, on the one hand, it has been supposed, that^ 
if the Bible is inspired at all, that inspiration must 

9. What do you mean by the Genuineness of the Holy Scrip- 
tures 1 10. What by its Authenticity? 

11. What by its Inspiration'? 

12. Are these important points % 

13. What opposite errors are named respecting Inspiration % 

14. Name the first. 



64 AUTHENTICITY OF 

pertain to its grammatical construction, and even its 
orthograpliy, and its endorsement of all the customs, 
and the state of natural science to which it might in- 
cidentally allude ; and that this inspiration must pro- 
tect the sacred record from all possible mistakes, in 
its transmission from age to age, so that not a single 
letter shall be omitted, or a word be lost. 

On the other hand, it has been supposed that in- 
spiration is little or nothing more than a remarkable 
degree of intellectual vigor, or excellence, such as 
may belong to any eminent production of human skill. 
In this sense, an elegant poem, a fine painting, and 
piece of exquisite sculpture, may be said to be the 
work of inspiration. The reader cannot fail to see 
that this loose view virtually denies the existence of 
an inspiration in any sense worthy of the name. , 

Ims'piratwn^ as defined above, stands in contradis- 
tinction from both these extreme views. Certain por- 
tions of the Old and New Testaments, for example, 
are historical. The sacred writers recorded that which 
in part transpired under their own observation. In- 
spiration, in such a case, would only protect them from 
committing essential errors in their record. 

Other portions of the Sacred Scriptures are pro- 
phetic ; either expressly declarative of future events, 
or more obscurely pointing forward to them by way 

15. Name the second. 

16. Does not this do away with Inspiration % 

17. What is Inspiration % 

18. How would Inspiration affect historical records 7 

19. How does it relate to prophecy % 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 65 

of types and shadows. Here inspiration seems to us 
to perform its highest office. Inspired men, in such 
a case, had no data of their own on which to stand. 
All to them was new and unknown. Holy men of 
old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, 
And yet, even in this highest degree of inspiration, 
the sacred writers still evidently exhibit their own 
peculiarity of style and mode of expression. What- 
ever the subject of prophecy, we observe the ma- 
jesty of Isaiah, the fragrant beauty of the psalmist 
David, the plaintive eloquence of Jeremiah, the severe 
reasoning and massive grandeur of the apostle Paul, 
and the tender simplicity of the beloved John ; all 
these writers speaking under the highest degree of 
inspiration, and yet all clearly exhibiting their own 
marked peculiarity of manner and of style. 

So also in respect to the transmission of the Sacred 
Scriptures, unless a perpetual miracle had intervened, 
they must have been handed down in the same man- 
ner with other ancient writings. Nor can we say that 
the transcribers of these records would never find a 
manuscript almost illegible, or that they should all 
transcribe with the same degree of neatness, care, and 
diligence, or that they should never in a solitary in- 
stance have made a single mistake in the shape, for- 
mation, or omission of a letter or single word. As 
matter of fact, it is cause of great surprise, that, con- 

20. What, even in this, is to be anticipated 1 

21. Is not this so in fact 1 22. Illustrate this. 

23. What do you say of the transmission of Inspiration 1 

24. What is remarkable in that transmission? 

5# 



66 AUTHENTICITY OF 

sidering the size of the manuscripts, the great length 
of time through which they were transmitted in man- 
uscript, they should have been preserved with such 
remarkable uniformity and accuracy. The slight ver- 
bal differences which have been detected, can all be 
accounted for by the similarity of some of the He- 
brew characters with each other, and the great age of 
some of the manuscripts, xill that inspiration need 
to suppose in such a case is, that the great truths of 
Revelation have been faithfully preserved, and that 
no such serious errors have been permitted as would 
frustrate the great ends for which a Revelation was 
given. 

These remarks upon the nature of Eevelation, while 
they seem reasonable and just in themselves, so they 
will also enable us to meet the ordinary objections 
which are urged against Revelation, and are, as we 
think, necessary to meet those objections. 

With these introductory observations, showing what 
we mean by the genuineness, the authenticity, and the 
inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, we come now to 
an examination of those Scriptures themselves. 

On some accounts there would be a propriety in 
beginning first with the New Testament, as being 
more recent in its origin. It lies more fairly within 
our reach — its evidences are more numerous and more 
easily appreciated — its mass of historical testimony 



25. What is necessary tu be supposed 1 

26. What will these previous remarks enable us to do ? 

27. Why might we begin with the New Testament 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 6f 

more systematically arranged; — and because, more- 
over, having established the authority of the New 
Testament, we might then go back with all this author- 
ity to the Old Testament, both portions of the Sa- 
cred Scriptures mutually corroborating and sustaining 
each other. 

But yet, as the Old Testament is first in order of 
time, we propose to go back first to the fountain-head, 
and trace the stream of inspiration, first in its gentle 
meanderings, and then through the long track of years 
down to the full, deep tide of that inspiration, in later 
days. 

And may He, the Ancient of Days, who spake in 
times past through the seers, assist us now reverently 
to follow these the footsteps of liis wisdom and grace. 

Let us first examine, briefly, the history of the Scrip- 
tures of the Old Testament. 

At the commencement of the Christian era, before 
one word of the New Testament was written, we find 
the Old Testament then existing, containing the same 
books which we have now. In proof of this is the 
fact, that the Jews and the Christians, who then be- 
came separated by dividing lines strongly marked, 
have yet, both as Jews and as Christians, handed 
down to our own times the same writings of the Old 
Testament. The Christian writers of the first cen 

28. Why do we begin with the Old 1: 

29. Upon what is our attention first directed 1 

30. What do we find existing at the commencement of the 

Christian era 1 

31. What has been handed down, and by whom 1 



68 AUTHENTICITY OF 

turies named those books, wrote commentaries upon 
them, translated them into the Glreek and Syriac 
languages, which translations still exist. These wri- 
ters were Jerome, Origen, Melito, Theodoret, and 
others. 

We have also Jewish testimony to the existence of 
the Scriptures of the Old Testament at that time. 
Philo, and Josephus (who were cotemporary with the 
apostles), name the Books of the Old Testament. 
They divide them by a threefold division ; the Laws, 
or the five Books of Moses, reaching almost down 
through the first three thousand years ; the Prophets, 
reaching to the death of Artaxerxes king of Persia : 
and the Hymns or Psalms ; — and Josephus says, that 
" they comprehend the history of all former ages, and 
are justly regarded as divine." The writers of the 
Talmud, also Philo and Josephus, testify that the in- 
spiration of the Old Testament was an article of faith 
with the Jews at the time of Christ. 
• Thus, Jews and Christians both testify to the exist- 
ence and integrity of the Old Testament, since the 
time of Christ ; and by their mutual jealousies of each 



32. Who gave catalogues of them 1 

33. Into what did they translate them ? 

34. Are those translations in existence 1 

35. Who are those writers 1 

36. What Jewish testimony have we 1 

37. What divisions do they make % 

38. What Jewish authors are named '? 

39. What natural guard have we therefore 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT 69 

other, would afford protection against corruption of 
tlie sacred volume on the part of either. 

We go back two hundred and thirty years before 
Christ, and we find the son of Sirach, Jesus by name, 
writing the Book of the Apocrypha called Ecclesiasti- 
cus, who quotes some of the larger prophets, alludes 
to the twelve minor prophets, and speaks of the Law, 
or the Books of Moses, affording evidence that the 
Old Testament then existed, in the same divisions as 
no"^. 

We go back fifty years more, or two hundred and 
eighty-two years before Christ, and we come to the 
time when a translation of the Old Testament was 
commenced from the Hebrew into the Greek language, 
at Alexandria, and called the ^^Septuagint." Copies 
of this translation were scattered into all part^ of the 
known world. Reference was constantly made to it 
by our Saviour and his apostles, as being generally 
known, rendering the fact one of absolute certainty, 
of the existence of the Old Testament at the time of 
the translation, and forming an effectual barrier 
against the corruption of the sacred text afterwards. 

We go back about three hundred years further, or 
to the time of the captivity of the ten tribes ; and we 

40. What do we find respecting the son of Sirach 1 

41. What does he say '? 

42. What do we find fifty years earlier 1 

43. What wass this translation called 1 

44. Who made it '? 45. Into what language *? 

46. What was thus rendered impossible 1 

47. What took place three hundred years earlier 1 



70 AUTHENTICITY OF 

find copies of the Books of Moses carried by the 
Israelites into Assyria, into Media, to Babylon, and 
afterward into Egypt, and scattered into all parts of 
the world ; rendering it impossible that they should 
have been seriously corrupted in later times. 

We have now reached a point, subsequent to which 
several of the Books of the Prophets were written, and 
but little prior to which the most ancient of them had 
their date. 

We go back still further, or about one thousand 
years before Christ (B.C. 975), and we find an event 
occurring, which throws'great light upon the authen- 
ticity and genuineness of the earlier writings of the 
Old Testament — we allude to the revolt of the Ten 
Tribes under Jeroboam, and to the implacable ani- 
mosities which thenceforth existed between Judah 
and Israel. This deadly hatred between them, would 
have prevented the Samaritans afterward from forging 
the Pentateuch in connection with Judah, while the 
threatenings in it against the existing idolatry, and 
many other corruptions among themselves, would have 
disinclined them to do it. And yet, from an early 
period, we find the Samaritan Pentateuch, and the 
Hebrew Pentateuch, handed down with the greatest 
religious veneration and reverence by both these 

48. What point of time have we now reached % 

49. What event is next adduced 1 

50. Between whom was there hatred 1 

51. What would this have prevented'? 

52. What other reason would have disinclined them % 

53. What do we actually find % 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 71, 

divisions of that people ; showing the fact of its early 
existence, and of its established authority among that 
people. 

This Samaritan Pentateuch was in existence among 
the Samaritans at the time of Christ. The early 
Christian writers allude to it, as Origen, Eusebius, 
Cyril, and Jerome. Afterwards it was lost sight of 
for more than a thousand years, until the year A.D. 
1616, when a copy was discovered in Egypt ; and 
afterwards the learned Usher received six copies of it 
from the East. 

Here, then, in these two Pentateuchs, the Jewish 
and the Samaritan, handed down by these two op- 
posing people, we have every proof of the existence 
of the Books of Moses, even at that early day. 

This brings us back to the days of Solomon father 
of Rehoboam — to the period of great national pros- 
perity on the part of the Jewish people, when Tyre 
contributed to build its navies ; when the Queen of 
the South came to witness the grandeur of the Tem- 
ple, and observe the wisdom of the king. 

The historical books, which relate to the rise and 
progress of the Jewish nation, are the Books of Joshua, 
of Judges, the first and second of Samuel, the first 

54. What does this prove *? 

55. When do we find this Sanaaritan Pentateuch 1 

56. Who allude to it 1 

57. How long was it lost sight of? 

58. What do these Pentateuchs prove 1 

59. How far back are we now brought 1 

60. What are the historical books of that nation 1 



72 AUTHENTICITY OF 

and second of Kings, and the two Books of Chroni- 
cles. 

We are brought "back now to the Pentateuch, or 
Five Books of Moses — books remarkable for their an- 
tiquity, as monuments standing up, lone survivors 
amid the wreck of empires ; remarkable still more for 
the light which they profess to throw upon the origin 
of our world and of our race — remarkable for what 
they tell us of that great moral change in the nature 
of man since he was first made in the image of his 
Maker — remarkable for the knowledge which they 
give of the Institutions and Laws of GrOD, and of His 
judgments : as when the universal deluge filled all the 
valleys, and swept over the hills and mountains, until 
at last one unbroken wave rolled above the habitations 
of men, over the earth — one solitary vessel alone, 
freighted with rich gifts, floating securely on the face 
of the mighty deep. 

These five Books of Moses comprise a period of 
history which reaches through the first two thousand 
and five hundred years of the world. The second 
Book, that of Exodus, which begins about the time of 
the birth of Moses, and the three following Books, 
comprise a period of only about one hundred and 
thirty-seven years ; while the Book of Genesis, relat- 

61. For what is the Pentateuch remarkable % 

62. What information does it give 1 

63. What facts does it record ? 

64. What period of time is comprised 1 

65„ What period is embraced in the Book of Exodus 1 
66. What in that of Genesis 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 7S 

ing to transactions and events anterior to the birth 
of MoseSj comprises a period of two thousand four 
hundred and sixteen years, or more than one half of 
the whole distance of time from the creation of the 
world to the birth of Christ. 

The question naturally arises, how could Moses 
write a history of events which transpired so long be- 
fore his own observation ? 

To this there are three answers. 

One is, that he wrote the Book of Genesis by imme- 
diate inspiration of God ; receiving the account of the 
creation, the fall of man, and other important facts, 
in the same manner as he received the Decalogue. 

But whoever examines the Book of Genesis them- 
selves, in the original language, and notices the indis- 
putable evidences of Comyilaiion^ will doubt this an- 
swer to the question. 

Another supposition has been, that Moses derived 
his knowledge of the events which he records, by tra- 
dition. And when we regard the importance of the 
facts recorded, the brevity of the history, the fact 
that national and other events were in those times 
treasured up and transmitted in this manner, such a 
reply is not without show of reason. The great lon- 
gevity of man in the early period of the world, would 

67. What is the relative extent of this period 1 

68. What question arises 1 

69. How many answers are given 7 

70. What is the first — and what is said concerning it 1 

71. What is the second 1 73. What reasons favor this '? 
73. What facts are mentioned 1 

7 



74 AUTHENTICITY 01* 

contribute to give authenticifcy to traditionary know- 
ledge. Thus, Methuselah lived with Adam more than 
two hundred and forty years, and with Noah full six 
hundred years. Terah, the father of Abraham, lived 
with Noah one hundred and thirty-eight years, and 
Abraham lived to within two hundred and forty-seven 
years of Moses. 

Thus, the chain of tradition from Adam to Methu- 
selah, and Methuselah to Noah, from Noah to Terah, 
and from Terah to Abraham, or through onl}^ five 
persons, connects Moses, the great historian of the 
world, with all the events which he records. So that, 
had Moses depended upon tradition alone for the 
events of the first two thousand years of the world, 
his history would have been far more credible than 
much of the early profane history which is yet most 
confidently believed. And yet there are great diffi- 
culties in the way of this supposition. 

Another answer to the question, however, and one 
which familiarity with the subject scarcely ever fails 
to confirm, is, that the Book of Genesis is a collection 
of manuscripts, or historic records, carefully treasured 
up, and transmitted by the patriarchs, and preserved' 
by Moses. And the evidence from the internal cha- 
racter of the book itself, goes to establish this suppo- 

74. What chain of tradition is given ? 

75. Are there not difficulties in this supposition 1 

76. What is the third supposition 1 

77. What internal evidence is there of this 1 

78. What is the Book of Genesis % 

79. What proofs are there of this 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. ib 

sition. The various titles which occur in the first 
chapters of GenesiSj and the variations of style, which 
are very observable, render it almost certain that the 
Book of Grenesis is a collection of ancient documents, 
which Moses, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, 
compiled into one book, and enlarged, it may be, with 
additions from such sources as were within his reach. 

Second. Thus, in tracing down the history of the 
Scriptures of the Old Testament, we have seen how 
carefully guarded all the later portions of that volume 
have been from corruption. 

But an inquiry arises, what evidence have we that 
the earliest portions of that volume, as the Book of 
Genesis, which comprises so large a portion of the 
world's history, is to be regarded as authentic, or as 
entitled to our firm belief? The arguments which 
will come up for examination in a later portion of tHis 
work, will present this question before the reader in a 
new position. But we have chosen to begin back and 
examine these ancient records first alone, and by 
themselves. And we shall find that these ancient 
writings bear the most indisputable proofs of being 
records of facts which must have transpired, and as 
such records, entitled to our intelligent belief 

First. The style in which the Book of Genesis is 

80. What did Moses do 1 

81. What conclusions may we now draw ? 
^2. What inquiry now arises 1: 

83. What other arguments are alluded to ? 

84. What do we propose first to do 7 

85. What is the first argument adduced 1 



76 AUTHENTICITY OF 

written, is a strong proof for its authenticity. Every 
intelligent person knows, that, as a general thing, the 
language of a nation or people is constantly changing. 
The English language, for example, has changed 
greatly within even the last two or three hundred 
years, or since the days when Tate and Brady trans- 
lated the Book of Psalms ; and when Spenser, and 
long before him, Chaucer, were the great poets of our 
mother tongue. 

The Greek language has also undergone such 
changes. From the time when the old blind poet 
Homer sang, about nine hundred years before Christ, 
down to the time when Demosthenes thundered in 
the ears of the degenerate Athenians, about three 
hundred years before Christ, within these six hundred 
years the Greek language changed very considerably. 

Now, in this growth or progressive change of lan- 
guage, we have one argument for the antiquity of the 
Pentateuch. No man, acquainted with the structure 
of language, will say that the Book of Malachi was 
written in the same age with the Prophecy of Isaiah, 
sooner than he would say that the little child scarcely 
able to walk, was born in the same year with the old 
man tottering upon his two staves. Neither can it 

86. What is true of language in general 1 

87. Is this true of the English language 1 

88. Give proofs of it. 

89. Is this true of the Greek language 1 

90. Giv^e illustrations of this. 

91. Is this an argument for the antiquity of the Pentateuch 1 

92. Were Isaiah and Malachi of the same age 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 77 

be possible that tlie Prophecy of Isaiah was written 
in the same age with the Pentateuch. The five books 
of Moses, and especially the Book of G-enesis, bear 
internal mal-ks of that great antiquity which is as- 
cribed to them. And he must be blinded either by 
ignorance or prejudice, who does not know the exist- 
ence of this argument, and acknowledge its strength. 

To show, by illustration, how the various portions 
of the Old Testament thus differ from each other in 
respect to style, would transcend our present limits. 
But satisfactory treatises are within the reach of any 
person who would inquire. 

Second. As we examine the contents of the Penta- 
teuch, and especially of the Book of Genesis, we find 
there recorded the account of the creation of the 
world and of man ; and the subsequent chronology of 
the Scriptures places that event about four thousand 
years before the time of Christ. 

Here, then, is an important fact recorded. What 
evidence have we to prove that this account, in respect 
to the time of the creation, is authentic ? How do we 
know that the world has not been in existence for a 
much longer period than this ? that it has not stood, 

93. Were Isaiah and the Pentateuch of the same age? 

94. Are there evidences from their style of this % 

95. Is not this a strong argument, and why ? 

96. Is not the fact of such diversity acknowledged 1 

97. What facts are recorded in the Book of Genesis ? 

98. When does the Pentateuch regard these as taking place % 

99. May there not be some evidence in respect to this time 1 

100. What question is now asked? 

7# 



78 AUTHENTICITY OF 

and been peopled, by generation after generation, for 
tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of years ? 
We answer, that we have no evidence whatever that 
the world has so existed ; while, on the other hand, 
we have strong reason to believe that it has not so 
existed. Indeed, all the light which science throws 
around this subject, would forbid our belief that the 
world has been inhabited longer than the time allotted 
in Mosaic history. 

The history of nations and kingdoms goes to authen- 
ticate the Mosaic account of the time of the. Creation. 
In respect to all, the kingdoms of the earth now in 
existence, we can trace back their history to their 
origin. England can be seen as she was in the times 
of the Celts — when society was in its infancy ; 
when the mistleto was venerated ; when Druids were 
the priests ; when, at the beginning of winter, all fires 
on every hearth were lit up on the same day, from the 
fire of the Druids, that a propitious year might follow. 

So also France, Spain, Russia, and all the European 
nations, can at once be traced back to their early days. 

As we turn to the more ancient kingdoms of Greece 
and Rome, history points us immediately back through 

101. Have we any evidence whatever of any previous exist- 
ence 1 102. What is the testimony of science 1 

103. What is the evidence from national history 1 

104. Do any nations ever known date earlier 1 

105. What can we do in respect to all nations now known 1 

106. What is true of English history ? 

107. What is true of European nations % 

108. What is true of ancient nations % 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 79 

the successive periods of old age, manhood, youth, and 
infancy. 

We recur to the still more ancient kingdoms of 
Persia and Assyria, and their history and traditions 
tell us the same story of their early days. The fact 
is stamped upon all their history that they were not 
once — that they had an origin, and that origin is 
always subsequent to the time of the creation, as re- 
corded by Moses. 

Here then is our argument, and it is a strong one. 
If the world has existed for tens of thousands of 
years, where are the kingdoms of the earth which then 
flourished '^ who were they ? where are their monu- 
ments ? Are there any intimations of such kingdoms 
having once existed, whose origin must have been 
prior to the events recorded in the history of Moses ? 
We answer, as has been answered before, no such 
traces of national history have ever been found. And 
the absence of all such proof is a most important fact. 

Again : The history of the progress of the sciences 
and arts, substantiates the account given by Moses 
of the time of the creation. 

We may truly say, that science is immortal. 
Thrones may crumble, but Truth never. Greece her- 
self has gone, but her literature and science are fresh, 

109. What impression do we always find % 

110. What conclusions do we reach 1 

111. What does this fact clearly imply ? 

112. What is the next argument'? 

113. What can we say of science'? 

114. Do we find this true 1 115. Give illustrations of it. 



80 AUTHENTICITY OF 

fadeless, undying. Demosthenes still fills our halls 
of Congress with the echo of his eloquence, and Homer 
fans the sacred flame of true poesy in the breasts of 
the sons of song. 

But, if the world, as infidels blindly say, has existed 
for tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of 
years, where is the literature, where is the science of 
those by-gone days ? Are there any traces of them 
left ? Not one. The most useful arts have, as we 
know, had their origin within a few hundred years. 
If the human mind had existence during that long 
imaginary period, where are the efi'orts of that mind ? 
How has it been that science and art have only borne 
their fruits within a comparatively short space of 
time ? 

The entire absence of all such relics of art and 
science during any time anterior to that which the 
inspired page specifies, is one of the most conclusive 
evidences that the human race itself did not then 
exist. 

Again : Another proof of the same kind, and com- 
bining with the others to give authenticity to the 
Mosaic account as to the time of the creation, is found 
in the progress of human language. 

Language, spoken and written, as such, evidently 
has had its period of comparative infancy. That 

116. What question hence arises 7 

117. What answer must be given % 

118. What conclusion follows '? 

119. What argument is next advanced '? 

120. What is true of ancient language '? 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 81 

^ower of language, which is the result of a combination 
of words, and that fullness of language, which arises 
from the use of abstract terms, this power and this 
fullness, are the fruit not of ancient, but of more 
modern times. 

For, as we go back into the early history of the 
world, we find every indication of an infantile con- 
dition of language. The forms of expression, the use 
of terms, the fewness of the words used, their evident 
simplicity and naturalness, all indicate a state of soci- 
ety which must have sprung into being at a compara- 
tively recent date. This fact is altogether inconsis- 
tent with the supposition that the world might have 
existed and been inhabited for many thousands of 
years. • 

This method of argument might be greatly ex- 
panded. A more minute examination of the various 
sciences, one by one, would only be new illustrations 
of what is perhaps already sufficiently apparent. 

This method of argument is of an important cha- 
racter. It is not of a negative^ but a positive nature. 
It is based upon certain known and acknowledged 
facts, which are inexplicable upon any other suppo- 
sition than that the Mosaic account of the creation 
of the world and of man is true. 

Third. To meet this course of argument, an objec- 
tion was formerly raised — an objection which is, how- 

121. How does this show -a state of infancy ? 

122. What is remarkable in the ancient languages 1 

123. Might not this method of argument be expanded 1 

124. Is not this argument positive — and why 1 



82 AUTHENTICITY OF 

ever, seldom offered, except in ignorance, in modern 
times. 

It was argued by some, wlio wished to destroy all 
confidence in the Mosaic record, that the discoveries 
of modern science would bring to light abundant evi- 
dence that the world had existed for a much longer 
time than the Book of Genesis supposes. Some 
Egyptian monuments, discovered in modern times, 
and covered over with hieroglyphics, were significantly 
pointed to, as containing chronological tables which 
would reach back many thousands of years before 
such men as Adam and Moses ever lived. 

To use the beautiful language of another, these 
assailants " had no hesitation in placing the formation 
of the Sacerdotal Colleges in Egypt thirteen thousand 
years before Christy and calling that^ the second period 

of its history They called upon those huge and 

half-buried colossal images, and those subterraneous 
temples, to bear witness to the antiquity and early 
civilization of the nation which erected them. They 
appealed to their astronomical remains, to attest the 
skill, matured by ages of observation, of those who 
projected them. More than all, they saw in those 
hieroglyphic legends, the venerable dates of sove- 
reigns, deified long before the modern days of Moses 
or Abraham. They pointed in triumph to the mys- 
terious characters which an unseen hand had traced 

125. What objections have been made 7 

126. What monuments have been named 1 

127. What boasts were made by infidels ? 

128. What is the language of a modern writer 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 83 

on those primeval walls, and boasted that only a 
Daniel was wanted that could decipher them, to show 
that the evidences of Christianity had been weighed 
and found wanting. Vain boast ! The temples of 
Egypt have, at length, answered their appeal, in lan- 
guage more intelligible than they could possibly have 
anticipated. For, a Daniel has been found, in patient, 
persevering study. After the succession has been so 
long interrupted. Young and Champollion have put 
on the linen robe of the Hierophant, and the monu- 
ments of the Nile, unlike the fearful image of Sais, 
have allowed themselves to be unveiled by their 
hands, without any but the most wholesome and con- 
soling results having followed from their labors."— 
Wiseman^s Lectures^ p. 253. 

I need not mention that long list of names of men, 
who, thinking to overthrow the system of revealed 
religion, grasped at these Egyptian chronologies, and 
defended '' systems where all was brilliant, all was 
imposing, all was confident, but where all was, at the 
same time, hollow, and brittle, and unsound." 

The successful labors of Champollion in decipher- 
ing those hieroglyphics, have at last brought to light 
the truth, that those monuments are not only of com- 
paratively modern origin, but that some of them 
actually commemorate events recorded on the sacred 
page of the Old Testament. 

129. What has been the result ? 

130. What name is conspicuous in these antiquities'? 

131. What antiquity is proved for those monuments^ 

132. What do they corroborate ? 



84 AUTHENTICITY OF 

Thus has modern science, so far from overthrowing 
the testimony of God's word, actually confirmed its 
truth, and left the Bible still more firmly riveted in 
the intelligent, confiding faith of its believers. 

So also in the East, objections of the same sort to 
the truths of revelation have been urged, and yet 
with the same ultimate result. The astronomical and 
chronological systems of the Hindoos and the Chinese 
were once pointed to, as carrying back those nations. 
an immense distance of time beyond that mentioned 
by Moses as the period of the creation. Those sys- 
tems also have been examined, and that by men who 
had no private interests to serve, no interests at stake 
other than to discover the truth. And yet, when the 
mists of a false antiquity have been cleared away by 
the labors of such men as Sir William Jones and 
others, it has been discovered, to the confusion of 
objectors, that none of their calculations reach back 
to the time of the deluge ; and only, at the utmost, 
show an existence of those nations in the East, at the 
time when the Holy Scriptures themselves allude to 
them as having there been planted. 

Fourth. These are some of the considerations which 
unite in giving authenticity to the account by Moses 
of the time of the creation of the world. 

133. What has science thus proved to be *? 

134. What have all the discoveries of science tended to do 1 

135. What systems are named % 

136. What boasts were made 1 

137. What has been the result % 

138. What antiquity do they reach 1 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 85 

The known infancy of nations, the known infancy 
of the arts and sciences, the known infancy of lan- 
guage, all point to an antiquity of our globe, and of 
our race, not greater than that given in the first book 
of the Pentateuch ; while, also, the monuments of 
ancient days, once appealed to to overthrow Revela- 
tion, are now, at last, also found to cast their venera- 
ble crowns at her feet. 

In the view presented in the present chapter, an 
effort has been made (we hope not in vain), to throw 
the strongest probability around the history of Moses, 
simply in respect to one point, the time of the crea- 
tion. In a subsequent chapter, some other state- 
ments of the sacred narrative will also be examined. 

The present writer will be grateful to God if he 
may strengthen even one link in that massive and 
ever-increasing chain of evidence on which we receive 
the revelation of our Heavenly Father, and thus give 
tenacity and firmness to the anchor which shall moor 
us safely in those troublesome waters over which we 
must so soon pass. 

May God show unto us, in this world, so far as 
need be, the knowledge of His truth, and in the world 
to come, grant us everlasting life. 

Let us believe His word, obey His will, acknowledge 
our transgressions, hope in His mercy, and at length 



139. Recapitulate now the arguments stated. 

140. What has been the object thus far ? 

141. What may be our inference from the preceding 1 

142. What practical duties are suggested 1 

8 



86 AUTHENTICITY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 

enter into His glory, through the riches of His grace, 
the sufferings and death, the prevailing merits and 
continual intercession of His blessed Son, Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

143. What was the great object of a Revelation 1 



CHAPTER V. 

AUTHENTICITY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CON- 
TINUED—MOSAIC ACCOUNT OF THE DELUGE. 

In the last chapter we examined several arguments 
in proof of the authenticity of the scriptures of the 
Old Testament. 

Our object, in presenting these arguments, is to 
show that those sacred writings are entitled to our 
belief, that the statements therein contained are to be 
relied upon, and that the volume itself is fairly enti- 
tled to the intelligent reception of every individual. 

In our present chapter we propose to examine ano- 
ther argument of the same general character. 

In the Books of Moses there is a very important 
historical fact recorded, and our object is to show that, 
aside from, and independent of, the sacred narrative, 
we have other external proofs, of the strongest charac- 
ter, fully sustaining those records. 

In the sixth, seventh and eighth chapters of the 

1. What was the subject of the last chapter'? 

2. What is the object of these arguments '? 

3. What is the object of the present chapter 1 

4. What historical fact is examined'? 

5. Where is that fact recorded '? 



88 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

Book of GrenesiSj an account is given by Moses of a 
deluge of the earth by water. It was a universal 
deluge, for the waters prevailed over all the earth. It 
was a complete deluge, for " all the high hills, that were 
under the whole heaven, were covered." " Fifteen 
cubits upwards did the waters prevail, and the moun- 
tains were covered." 

It was a deluge that prevailed for a considerable 
period of time. For, it was in the second month, and 
the seventeenth day, that the fountains of the great 
deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven 
were opened ; and it was in the tenth month, on the 
first day of the month, that the tops of the mountains 
first began to be seen. Forty days and forty nights 
it rained without cessation ; the fountains of the 
great deep were broken up ; the barriers of the ocean 
seem to have been removed or passed over. During 
one hundred and fifty days the waters of the flood 
appear to have been constantly on the increase ; and, 
from the time that the waters began to fall, until the 
time when the tops of the mountains were first seen, 
which was on the first day of the tenth month, were 
two hundred and seventy days. And, for at least one 

6. What was its extent '? 7. What was its degree'? 

8. How high did the waters prevail 7 

9, How much was this 7 10. When did it commence ? 

11. When were the tops of the mountains first seen'? 

12. How long did it rain '? 

13. What other source of waters is named'? 

14. How long did the waters increase '? 

15. How many days until the mountains were seen 1 



OF THE DELUGE. 89 

entire year, did Noah and his family remain in the 
ark, before the waters had so far subsided, that he 
could comfortably abide again upon the dry land. 

It was a deluge, destructive of animal life. For all 
flesh upon the earth — fowl, cattle, beast, creeping 
thing, and man — all, in whose nostrils was the breath 
of life, in the dry land died. Those only in the ark, 
with Noah, remained alive. 

This flood occurred, as Josephus says, about fifteen 
hundred and fifty-six years after the creation of the 
world. 

Such is a brief, but general summary of the facts, 
as recorded by Moses, concerning the deluge. 

Now, if such a deluge, and attended with such con- 
sequences, has actually occurred, there is at least a 
strong probability that, aside from the Mosaic account, 
there would have remained other proofs of such an 
event. It is at least probable that a deluge, so uni- 
versal and so disastrous, would have left some traces 
of itself on the face of the earth. 

It is probable, also, that all account of such a deluge 
would not have been confined to the pages of the Old 
Testament, but that the unwritten page of tradition, 
blended, perhaps, with many fabulous stories, yet em- 
bodying many of the most important facts, would have 

16. How long was Noah in the ark 1 

17. In what respects was it destructive '? 

18. In what year of the world did it commence 1 

19. Name any other events not here described. 

20. Is there probability that traces of such a flood would 

remain'? 21. Why? 



90 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

treasured up, and handed down from age to age, the 
recollection, however indistinct, of such a catastrophe. 

Had there been, however, no marks discovered of 
the deluge on the face of the earth, or had the voice 
of tradition been entirely silent^ the absence of such 
testimony would not have disproved the clear state- 
ments of God's Holy Word ; as negative testimony 
must be much stronger than this to annihilate the 
force of that which is clear, full and positive. While, 
on the contrary, if we discover on the surface, or near 
the surface of the earth, evident marks of some such 
violent and destructive calamity sweeping over it — 
and if, moreover, tradition, so far from being silent, 
is clear and full in handing down an account of all 
the most important circumstances of the deluge — then 
credibility of the strongest character is attached, not 
only to this, but to other portions of the sacred narra- 
tive. 

Now, this is precisely the state of the argument : 

There are, on the surface of the earth, the clearest 
evidences of a universal deluge having once prevailed ; 
and there are also traditions handed down of a deluge, 
so similar, in all its main features, to that described 
by Moses, that there can be little or no doubt that 
they both refer to one and the same event. 

To an examination of some of these proofs let us 
now attend. It is proper here to remind the reader, 

22. Would the absence of such evidence disprove it 7 

23. Is the existence of such testimony valuable 1 

24. Where do we find traces and proofs of the deluge 1 



OF THE DELUGE. 91 

that in gathering the proofs, found on or near the sur- 
face of the earth, the writer has derived most assist- 
ance from the valuable labors of the learned Dr. 
Bucklandj Dr. Wiseman, and other distinguished 
English and French scholars, who have given their 
attention to the subject. 

I. One proof on the surface of the earth of such a 
deluge having once prevailed, is in the existence of 
certain valleys, which have evidently been scooped 
out of the earth by vast bodies of water passing over it. 

To illustrate this proof. If, in the ruins of an an- 
cient city, we discover portions of a wall, standing at 
certain intervals of space here and there, all running 
in the same direction, composed of the same materials, 
lying in the same relative order, of the same precise 
height, of the same apparent age — we should at once 
conclude that formerly that wall was continuous and 
entire, and that some irruption had broken down the 
intervening portions which are now gone. So, also, 
where thorough examination has been made, it has 
been discovered, in many portions of the earth, that 
opposite sides of valleys bear the same proportions to 
each other ; that their sides are composed of the 
same materials, lie in the same order, and appear to 
have been once washed by some torrent sweeping 

25. What authors are named 1 

26. What is the first proof mentioned 7 

27. Describe this proof more particularly. 

28. How is it illustrated % 29. State the illustration. 

30. What do valleys present on their sides '? 

31. How are they composed, &c. ? 



92 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

tlirough and tearing out the intervening valley, and 
depositing the earth upon the sides and bottom of 
the gorge. This argument presents itself more for- 
cibly when exhibited to the eye, and as illustrated by 
drawings or charts. The proofs that there are such 
valleys, running parallel to each other, where no cause 
for them now exists, their localities, the observations 
which have been made with great accuracy, may be 
found abundantly in scientific works upon the sub- 
ject, to which we refer the inquisitive reader. 

We here only appeal to the undeniable fact, as one 
to be accounted for by the existence and effects of 
such a deluge of waters as that which Moses de- 
scribes. 

II. Another similar proof is found in large and 
lofty rocks, standing very high like pyramids in cer- 
tain places, the sides of which appear to have been 
exposed to the washing and grazing of raging torrents, 
and the earth around them to have been violently 
torn away. 

A French writer (Saussure), in speaking of Mount 
Cervin, a pyramid, 3,000 feet high, upon the loftiest 
Alps, says, " It is impossible for me to believe that 
such an obelisk issued directly from Nature's hand in 
this shape. The surrounding matter has been broken 
off and swept away, for nothing ^is seen around it but 
other pinnacles, springing like it abruptly out of the 

33. What is the next proof offered % 33. State this proof, 

34. What author is named 1 

35. Relate the fact mentioned by him. 

36. What is his conclusion 1 



OF THE DELUGE. 93 

ground, with their sides in like manner abraded by 
violence." 

An English writer of note says, " At Greiffenstein, 
in Saxony, are a number of granitic prisms, standing 
upon a plain, and rising to the height of a hundred 
feet and upward. Each of these is again divided, by 
horizontal fissures, into so many blocks ; and thus 
they present the idea of a great mass of granite, the 
connecting parts of which have been violently torn 
away." 

Such facts, of which only a specimen is given, sug- 
gest at once that a violent inundation, like a raging 
torrent, has left these as its monuments behind it. 

III. Another similar proof, found on the surface of 
the earth, of such an event as that which Moses de- 
scribes, is seen in the fact, that vast deposits of sand 
or gravel, belonging to certain localities, are often 
found scattered along the surface of the earth, disap- 
pearing gradually, evidently showing that once some 
violent irruption swept across the earth, tearing down 
mountains and hills, and bearing them over greater 
or less distances, and depositing them gradually along 
the direction of the current — and all this, in places 
where no cause adequate to such effects is now in 
existence. 

37. What does an English writer say 1 

38. What cause seems to have once operated '? 

39. What is the next proof adduced 1 

40. What are these deposits 1 

41. What is their appearance 1 

42. Are any causes now in existence '? 



94 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

So also, not only sand and earth, but larger masses 
of rock, varying from a few inches in diameter to the 
weight of many tons, have been discovered, bearing 
evidence of having been torn from their original bed, 
and being borne by the raging element over great 
distances, and actually scarring the earth in their 
progress, or leaving marks produced by their transi- 
tion from place to place. Grreat numbers of such facts 
have been discovered in Warwickshire and Oxford- 
shire, England ; in Sweden, Russia, Prussia, Poland, 
and America, where numerous instances are seen of 
rocks peculiar to certain localities having been torn 
from their places, and scattered over a country to 
which by nature they do not belong.* 

Such are a few- of the more prominent facts dis- 
covered on the surface of the earth ; proving that the 
earth has been subjected to the action of the raging 
element, scooping out valleys, and leaving the sides 
exposed ; tearing away the earth from rocks, and 
leaving them to stand like pyramids, alone — their 
sides scarred and torn by the torrent raging past 
them ; and masses of earth, gravel and rocks, belong- 
ing to certain localities, swept along and deposited in 

* For details of proof, see Dr. Buckland's ^^Reliqum Dilu- 



43. What else have been discovered 1 

44. How large have these been found 1 

45. What proofs of their transition from place to place "? 

46. Where have such proofs been found ? 

47. Repeat now these different proofs. 



OF THE DELUGE. 95 

places where a different formation had previously pre- 
vailed. 

lY. Another species of evidence, of a still more 
interesting character, proving the existence of such a 
deluge as that which Moses describes, is found in the 
discovery of antediluvian animals, which perished at 
the deluge, but which peculiar circumstances have 
preserved and handed down to our times. 

The Egyptian mummies, now disentombed from 
the ancient catacombs, after a repose of three thou- 
sand years, are not a more sure proof of the art of 
embalming, which preserved them, than the animals 
destroyed at the deluge, and handed down to our 
own day, are proof of the event which involved them 
in one wide-spread and common ruin. 

These animals are found in three different kinds of 
circumstances ; — first, those which are discovered in 
northern regions, where they have been preserved by 
being frozen ; second, those which are found in cav- 
erns and dens, where a sudden irruption of water and 
earth secured them from the decomposing action of 
the atmosphere ; and third, those discovered imbedded 
in masses of earth and sand, in which they have lain 
entombed in perfect preservation. 

Of the first class, the following facts may be spe- 
cified. In the year 1799, Schumackoff observed a 

48. What is the next general proof of a deluge ? 

49. How do the Egyptian mummies illustrate thisl 

50. In how many different aspects may these remains be con- 

sidered 1 51. What is the first '? 
52. What is the second ? 53. What is the third ? 



96 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

Shapeless mass in the ice at the mouth of the river 
Lena, in Northern Asia. In 1804, five years after, 
it became detached, and fell on the sand. It was 
found to be a species of elephant, its flesh so entire 
that the dogs, and even the men partook of it. It was 
different in some respects from the modern races of 
that animal, showing that it belonged to a different 
and ancient family, which has now ceased to exist. 
Its skeleton was taken care of, and is now in preser- 
vation at the Museum in St. Petersburgh. 

In 1770, a French traveller, named Pallas, discov- 
ered in the frozen mud, on the banks of the river 
Viluji, a large animal of the rhinoceros tribe ; and 
other travellers in Northern Asia have brought to 
light similar discoveries, where it is thought the ani- 
mals thus found differ from any ever known to exist ; 
and to furnish the strongest proof of some wide-spread 
calamity which overwhelmed all in one common lot, 
and embalmed them at one and the same moment. 
Pallas, above named, confesses as follows : " That 
until he had explored these parts, and witnessed such 
striking monuments, he had never persuaded himself 
of the truth of the deluge." 

Next in order may be noticed the remains of ani- 



54. What is a specimen of the first class '? 

55. Describe this discovery. 56. Where is it now deposited 7 

57. When did Pallas make a discovery 1 

58. What and where was it 1 

59. What was Pallas' confession '? 

60. What is the next source of argument 1 



OF THE DELUGE. 97 

mals found in caverns, whicli have been discovered in 
much greater variety and abundance. 

As an example, may be mentioned a cavern, dis- 
covered in Yorkshire, England, in 1821, which was 
rich in such remains. Deeply imbedded in the bot- 
tom of the cavern were found the bones of animals of 
immense size, as the elephant, rhinoceros, &c., and of 
vast numbers of hyaenas, and also of various kinds 
of birds. The conclusion of the most learned men is, 
that this cavern must have been for ages the haunt 
of ravenous, wild beasts, who there devoured their 
prey ; when some '^ irruption of water carried into the 
cavern the loam in which they are now imbedded, and 
which has preserved them from decay. Such a con- 
clusion exactly accords with the character of the 
deluge." Different explanations have been given as 
to the manner in which the remains of these various 
animals, as the elephant, rhinoceros, hyaena, bear, 
wolf, horse, hare, pigeon, lark, &c , &c., were brought 
into the cavern ; whether they were dragged there by 
the more ferocious of the wild beasts, or washed there 
by the raging waters of the deluge ; but the most 
learned geologists agree in the fact, that the preserva- 
tion of these remains is strong proof of the deluge. 

The next class of illustrations is found in those 

61. How have they been found'? 

62. Describe the cavern alluded to. 

63. What is the conclusion of learned men concerning it 1 

64. What explanations have been given 1 

65. In what has there been agreement ? 
Q&. What is the next source of proof? 

9 



98 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

animals whose bones are discovered strongly cemented 
together, and forming constituent portions of the 
rocks in which they are imbedded. Piscoveries of 
such remains have been made in different parts of the 
world, and have been attributed in their origin to 
that one event, which was universally destructive of 
animal life, and which doubtless wrought great 
changes in the physical appearance of the earth. 

Here, then, we conclude the first branch of our 
argument. 

That on or near the surface of the earth, we see 
evidences of a wide-spread devastation by water, pro- 
ducing great physical changes ; while we have also 
proofs of similar purport in the numerous animal re- 
mains, which, having been overwhelmed in that watery 
waste, have been embalmed by nature in this great 
Mausoleum, and have come down to tell their own 
story of the raging flood which overwhelmed them, 
and all living things, in one universal watery grave. 

Having noticed the traces of the '' universal deluge," 
as found on or near the surface of the earth, we come 
next to examine another class of evidence, viz., the 
account of it as handed down by the human family 
themselves. 

First. So far from there being a universal silence 

67. How are these remains found 1 

68. Are such remains extensively prevalent ? 

69. Of what are they proof? 

70. Give a summary of the general argument thus far. 

71. What is the next general argument '? 

72. Has there been absence of all such proof 1 



OF THE DELUGE. 99 

on this subject, Josephus says (B. I. A. M. 2992, 
Ch. I.), "All the writers of profane history make 
mention of this flood and of this ark, among whom is 
Berosus the Chaldean ; for when he was describing 
the circumstances of the flood, he goes on thus : ^ It 
is said there is still some part of the ship in Armenia, 
at the mountain of the Cordyeans, and that some 
people carry off pieces of the bitumen, which they 
take away and use chiefly as amulets, for the averting 
of mischiefs.' " 

Josephus also adds, '' Hieronymus, the Egyptian, 
also, who wrote the Phoenician Antiquities, and Ma- 
naseas, and many more, make mention of the same. 
Nay, Nicolaus of Damascus, in his ninety-sixth Book, 
hath a particular relation about them, where he 
speaks thus : ' There is a great mountain in Armenia, 
over Ninyas, called Baris, upon which it is reported 
that many who fled at the time of the deluge were 
saved ; and that one who was carried in an ark, came 
on shore upon the top of it," &c. 

Second. Striking traditionary proof of the deluge 
exists also in what has been handed down by the his- 
torians Lucian and Plutarch, respecting what is 
called "Deucalion's deluge." 

Deucalion, as is said, was king of Thessaly, in 

73. What does Josephus say 1 

74. What heathen authors does he name ? 

75. What does Berosus say 1 

76. Repeat the words of Nicolaus. 

77. What do these authorities clearly prove 1 

78. What deluge is next spok'^n q^I 



iOO MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

Greece, in the year of the world 2431, about 700 
years after the time of the flood. Whence was the 
origin of the name '' Deucalion's flood," there is doubt. 
Some say that Deucalion taught the people religion, 
and enforced it by the fear of God, whose wrath was 
manifested in the flood, a history of which Deucalion 
treasured up. But the traditionary account of " Deu- 
calion's flood" harmonizes sOvClosely with the history 
of the deluge in the time of Noah, that they must 
both have referred to one and the same event. It 
says that he was a just and virtuous man, and hence 
was saved, when the whole of mankind else perished ; 
that he preserved himself, his wife and children ; that 
being forewarned, he built an ark ; that he took two 
of every kind of living creatures into the ark ; that 
the ark rested on a mountain when the waters abated ; 
that he sent out a dove to try whether the waters 
were abated or not ; and that he afterwards built an 
altar to the gods. 

Indeed, so close is the analogy between what is 
called '• Deucalion's flood" and that recorded by Moses, 
that Sir Walter Raleigh felt and acknowledged the 
force of the reasoning in proof that they were one and 
the same thing. 

79. Who was Deucalion '? 80. When did he live 7 

81. How came the flood to be called " Deucalion's Flood'?" 

82. How do the particulars of that flood agree v/ith that de- 

scribed by Moses 1 

83. Who acknowledged that they seem to have been the 

same flood 1 

84. Does not the great variety, of particulars, in which they 

agree, prove them txj-be r:;he same 1 



OF THE DELUGE. 101 

Third. Ancient medals also have been preserved, 
on which are striking representations of the " univer- 
sal deluge." 

One of these, which originated in Phrygia, and was 
called the " Apamean medal," has the following im- 
pressions' upon it. On the one side is the head of the 
emperor, as usual. On the other side is the picture 
of an ark, or chest, swimming upon the waters, with 
a man and woman in it. Then, beside the ark, are 
seen the man and woman, as if standing on dry land, 
with their right hands raised as in admiration ; while 
above them is suspended in the air a dove, holding in 
its claws an olive branch, as a symbol of peace : while 
upon the front part of the chest, is inscribed, in the 
ancient Greek character, the word Noe. Seven or 
eight of these ancient medals, it is said, are now 
known to be in existence. 

Fourth. Traditionary legends of the deluge are 
also found in all parts of the world. To quote an 
author who has been at great pains to collect these 
facts, and who gives his authorities for his assertions, 
" The orthodox among the ancient Persians believed 
in a deluge, and that it was universal, and overwhelmed 
the whole earth. Similar traditions have prevailed 

85. What is the next source of proof from tradition 1 

86. Describe the " Apamean Medal." 

87. Where was it found 1 

88. What representations are upon it 7 

89. What word is upon it 1 

90. How many of those medals have been found 1 

91. Are traditions of the deluge very prevalent 1 

9# 



102 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

in the East, among the Hindoos, Burmans, and Chi- 
nese ; of these, the tradition of the Chinese is partic- 
ularly worthy of note, as it not only refers both directly 
and indirectly to the deluge itself, but also to the 
cause of it. The same tradition of a general flood is 
also to be traced among the ancient Goths and Druids, 
as well as among the Mexicans, Peruvians, Brazilians, 
and Nicaraguans ; to whom may be added the very 
lately discovered inhabitants of Western Caledonia, 
the Cree Indians, in the polar regions of North 
America, the Otaheitans, before their conversion to 
Christianity, and also the Sandwich Islanders." — 
Home's Int., Yol. L, Ch. II., Sect. 2. 

Surely stronger traditionary testimony of the fact 
of the deluge could not exist. And they who deny 
the fact of such a deluge, must answer another ques- 
tion, how it has happened that so many of the heathen 
nations of the earth, scattered every where upon it, 
have, in their independent traditions, treasured up 
in so many different ways, and with such remarkable 
unanimity, the story of just such an event as Moses 
has recorded on the inspired page ? 

Such is a specimen of the evidence in proof of the 
fact which Moses describes, the destruction of the 
world by a flood of waters. Advances in modern 
science, fresh discoveries on the surface of the earth, 
newly gathered traditions in every quarter of the 

92. What nations and people have such traditions '? 

93. Is not this a strong proof of the del age ? 

94. Could there have been any other origin 1 

95. Give a summary of the evidence in proof of the deluge. 



OF THE DELUGE. 103 

world, all go to strengthen the belief, beyond all rea- 
sonable doubt, that once, in ages long gone by, a wild 
waste of waters destroyed every living creature on 
the face of the earth, save those miraculously pre- 
served. 

Did time and space permit, or were it necessary, we 
would prove the authenticity of the Old Testament 
by examining other events there recorded, in the light 
of natural and civil history. But such facts as the 
following — the creation of the world ; the formation 
of man in the image of God, and his condition in 
paradise ; his fall into sin ; the translation of Enoch ; 
the longevity of the antediluvians ; the building of 
the tower of Babel ; the destruction of Sodom and 
Gomorrah ; the departure of Israel from Egypt, and 
their passage through the Bed Sea — these, and other 
events recorded in the Old Testament, are abundantly 
corroborated in the pages of profane history, and in 
the traditions of the heathen world. 

Before leaving this subject, we will further guard 
the mind of the reader, by noticing a few objections 
against the Mosaic account of the deluge. 

First. It has been objected, that waters sufficient 
to drown the world could not have been in existence. 

But could not He who made the world have thrown 

96. Are not all these extraneous of Revelation'? 

97. Do they not add to the credibility of the Old Testament 1 

98. What other events, recorded in the Old Testament, can 

you name which are corroborated in a similar manner 1 

99. What is the first objection noticed? 
100. How is it answered 1 



104 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

down the barriers of those waters of the ocean which 
cover so large part of the earth's surface ? Or, could 
He not have raised up bj an earthquake from the 
deep, a whole continent at once, and suddenly sub- 
merged the earth ? Such an objection has no weight 
with him who believes in the Providence and power 
of God. 

Second. It is objected, again, that the ark was not 
sufficient in size to contain all the animals said to 
have been preserved. 

But the great natural historian, BuiFon, has shown 
conclusively, that the number of distinct species of 
animals on the earth is comparatively small ; and Dr. 
Hales and others have met this objection again and 
again, by showing that the ark was abundantly large 
for all the purposes required. 

Third. It has been objected also, that as the rain- 
bow is caused by the reflection and refraction of the 
sun's rays, so it must have existed before the flood, 
while the language as recorded by Moses is, '^ I do set 
my bow in the cloud." 

But to this it is answered, the phrase might with 
equal propriety be rendered, as every scholar knows, 
" I do appoint my bow in the cloud," as something 
already existing, to be a token of God's everlasting 
covenant with his children, 

Fourth. It has been objected, again, thai mankind, 

101. State the next objection. 

102. What has Buffon proved 1 

103. State the results of Dr. Hales' calculation. 

104. What is the next objection 1 105. How is it answered ? 



OF THE DELUGE. 105 

by their diversity of countenance and color, give evi- 
dence that they could not have descended from the 
one family of Noah. 

But to this it is answered, that there are no greater 
differences in the human race than may have been 
produced by varieties of climate, modes of life, and 
other causes positively known to exist. 

Fifth. It is also objected, that the origin of the 
race from one family, will not account for the peopling 
of the American continent. To this there are numer- 
ous answers — such as the near contiguity of the East- 
ern and Western Continents on the north ; the preva- 
lence of trade winds ; the possibility, and even proba- 
bility of great physical changes having occurred on 
the earth's surface. 

In short, there never has been an objection against 
the deluge, as recorded by Moses, to which reasonable 
answers may not be given ; enough to satisfy a sincere 
inquirer, though not enough to silence the obstinacy 
of the wilful caviller. 

Conclusion. — The destruction of the earth by the 
deluge was a great and melancholy event. The over- 
throwing of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities of 
the plain, was an awful scene. The entombing of a 
city, in more modern times, beneath the lava of the 

106. What is the next objection 1 

107. How may such varieties be traced'? 

108. What is the next objection l 

109. How may this be answered ? 

110. What was the character of the deluge'? 



106 MOSAIC ACCOUNT 

volcano, or in the chasm of the earthquake, has awak- 
ened the sympathies of kingdoms. Nay, the frightful 
havoc in the inundation of waters, when the rivers 
overflow their borders and submerge beautiful cities 
and villages, awakens strong feelings of sadness. But 
this was not the destruction of a single city, or of a 
valley filled with a thousand cities and villages. Con- 
sternation and dismay were depicted on the counte- 
nances of the inhabitants of every city and village on 
the globe. The swelling floods drove them from emi- 
nence to eminence, and from hill-top to mountain 
brow, until all escape was cut off; and finally one 
universal groan of despair was heard, and all was lost. 
The earth itself, covered with cities, and villages, and 
habitations of men, was involved in the general doom. 

But, why was this event permitted ? It was not acci- 
dental. It was because '' the wickedness of man was 
great on the earth." It was to testify God's deep 
displeasure against sin, and to be a warning to us also, 
" who have done those things which we ought not to 
have done, and have left undone those things which 
we ought to have done.'' 

It teaches us, also, where alone is our safety and 
hope. Upon the bosom of the angry flood, as we be- 
hold the " ark of God," made according to his com- 
mandment and appointments, while above, spanning 
the heavens, is the " bow of promise," teaching us 

111. What lessons of wisdom does it teach US'? 

112. Why was the deluge permitted '? 

113. What does it show '? 

114. What two things does it prove 1 



MOSAIC ACCOUNT OF THE DELUGE. 107 

how, in Jesus Christ, '' mercy and truth have met to- 
gether, righteousness and peace have kissed each 
other," so let us find shelter within the ark of His 
grace ; and then, as we survey the world in ruins. 
Christian faith will bring to our trembling hearts the 
olive branch of peace, and we shall look out upon the 
scene without dismay. 

Let us carry with us, into the business, careSj and 
pleasures of the world, the thought of God's deep dis- 
pleasure at sin. and that the bow of His promise spans 
the cloud of His wrath. 

115. Where should we all find refuge 1 

116. Has God provided for our safety 1 

117. What should we at all times remember? 



CHAPTER VL 

PROPHECY, PROOF OF THE INSPIRATION OF THE 
OLD TESTAMENT. 

In the two previous chapters, our attention has 
been directed to the authenticity^ or credibility of the 
Scriptures of the Old Testament. 

We have endeavored to show, that the various por- 
tions of that book must have been written at about 
the time usually attributed to them ; and also that 
certain historical events there recorded, are sustained, 
beyond all doubt, by the strongest chain of external 
evidence. And hence we come to the conclusion, that 
the book is entitled to credibility, or that it deserves 
our intelligent reception. 

In our present chapter we come to another distinct 
and more important branch of the subject — not merely 
to prove that the historical narrative of the Old Tes- 
tament is true, but that the Old Testament is an in- 
spired book. To show, that while human instrumen- 
talities were employed in its composition and trans- 

1. What was the subject of the two previous chapters 1 

2. What is examined in the present chapter 1 



109 

mission, yet that no other being than an omniscient 
G-OD could have dictated the truths therein contained. 
In short, that the Old Testament is, in part, that very 
revelation from Gtod which, in a previous chapter, we 
showed to be both highly probable and indispensably 
necessary. 

The argument which, in our present chapter, we 
propose briefly to examine, is that of prophecy. Let 
us ask — 

I. What is prophecy ? 

II. How do the prophecies of the Bible differ from 
the false pretensions to prophecy, as seen in the famous 
oracles of the heathens ? 

III. What are some of those prophecies of the Old 
Testament on which we may safely rely, in proof that 
the Old Testament is an inspired book 1 

And first, What is prophecy ? 

An able writer gives to this question the following 
answer. '• Prophecy is a miracle of knowledge ; a 
declaration, or description, or representation of some- 
thing future, beyond the power of human sagacity to 
discern or to calculate ; and it is the highest evidence 
that can be given of supernatural communion with 
the Deity, and of the truth of a revelation from Gtod." 

Hence, the mere foretelling of future events, how- 

3. What is the first question to be asked ? 

4. What is the second point to be examined '? 

5. What is the third 1 

6. How may prophecy be defined 1 

7. What is it a miracle of? 8. What evidence is it 1 

9. Is the foretelling of future events necessarily prophecy 1 
10 



110 PROOF OF THE INSPIRATION 

ever distant, is not necessarily prophecy ; for it must 
be of events beyond the power of human sagacity to 
discern or to calculate. 

ThuSj the astronomer can predict an eclipse of tho 
sun for a thousand years to come, if the solar system 
shall so long exist ; but the predicting of that event 
is not prophecy, because he has before him well 
established data, on which he founds every one of his 
conclusions. 

A sagacious statesman may predict that great 
changes may take place in any civil government now 
existing, and those predictions may be verified in fact. 
But yet his prediction is not prophecy, inasmuch as 
he reasons from principles which he believes to be well 
established, and from facts within his knowledge. 

So also, again, a man may hazard a prediction, as a 
mere matter of conjecture, and that conjecture may 
chance to prove true ; but yet this would not be 
prophecy, because prophecy is the declaration, descrip- 
tion, or representation of something future, as abso- 
lutely certain ; and of what it is beyond the power of 
human sagacity to discover or calculate. 

Now, it needs no argument to prove, that prophecy, 
as thus defined, must possess the very highest degree 
of moral evidence. 

10. Why not '^ 

11. Illustrate by the calculations of the astronomers. 

12. By the opinions of the statesman. 

13. How is it with mere conjecture 1 

14. Why must prophecy be of the very highest species of 

evidence '? 



^ OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. Ill 

We cannot tell what a single day will bring forth. 
Much less can we look forward hundreds, and even 
thousands of years, and describe with particularity 
events which are to take place concerning nations and 
individuals, for which now there are no perceptible 
causes in existence. Surely, such a power belongs 
only to the attributes of Him in whom are hid all the 
treasures of wisdom anA knowledge. 

Such is prophecy, its nature, and its importance. 
But again : 

II. How do the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures 
differ from the false pretensions to prophecy among 
the heathens ? 

Under the mere light of nature, there has almost 
universally been exhibited a desire to lift the curtain 
which hides futurity, and a power been claimed, by 
supernatural communications with the unseen world, 
to gratify that desire. 

But, true and false prophecies differ from each 
other in certain strongly marked particulars. 

First. It has ever been a prominent object of false 
prophecies, to gratify a morbid curiosity upon ques- 
tions of no practical importance. Scriptural prophe- 
cies reveal little, we may say absolutely nothing, of 
this nature. 

Second. The heathen oracles were induced to utter 

15. How is it with man 1 

16. How do true prophecies and false differ 1 

17. Has there always been a disposition to look into the future 1 

18. Has there been this power claimed 1 

19. What is the iirst mark of distinction 1 



112 PROOF OF THE INSPIRATION 

their responses only at great pecuniary expense, and 
upon the offering of costly oblations ; which responses 
were ordinarily agreeable to those who sought them. 
But the prophets of the true God prophesied often in 
opposition to the wishes, and in defiance of the com- 
mands and threatenings of those who consulted them ; 
and so far from seeking or obtaining pecuniary re- 
ward, " they were tortured, had trial of cruel mock- 
ings, of scourgings ; yea, moreover, of bonds and im- 
prisonment ; they were stoned, they were sawn asun- 
der, were tempted, were slain with the sword ; they 
wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being 
destitute, afflicted, tormented." 

Third. There is another distinction between true 
and false prophecy. 

The oracles of the heathens, when at last they 
uttered a response upon some one definite point (for 
they were usually so general as to have no particular 
meaning), often framed their language ambiguously, 
so as to be capable of two different interpretations. 

Thus, when Croesus, king of the Lydians, was about 
to attack Gyrus, king of Persia, he consulted the ora- 
cle at Delphi — this response was given him : that 
'' he would destroy a great empire ;" and so the event 
proved, but contrary to his interpretation, that em- 
pire proved to be his own. 

So also, when, ages after, Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, 



20. What is the second ? 21. What is the third 1 

22. Illustrate this in the case of Croesus. 

23. Relate the case of Pyrrhus. 



OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 113 

being about to make war upon the RomanSj consulted 
the gods as to the issue of the struggle, the juggling 
oracle replied in words which might be understood as 
follows : 

'• I say that thou, son of ^acus, canst conquer the 
Romans ; thou shalt go ; thou shalt return ; never 
shalt thou perish in war." 

Or, it might be understood as follows 

'' I say that the Romans can conquer thee, son of 
j^acus ; thou shalt go ; thou shalt never return ; 
thou shalt perish in war." 

How different, in this respect, is the prophetic lan- 
guage of the Old Testament ! Free from all ambi- 
guity, it affirms boldly and unqualifiedly the truths 
revealed, and leaves the ages to come, nearer or more 
remote, to verify those predictions to the very letter. 

With these preliminary remarks on the subject of 
prophecy, there is another feature respecting it de- 
serving attention. It is the apparent obscurity of 
prophecy. 

Previous to the fulfilment of prophecy, there is 
apparent obscurity in it. We seem to catch certain 
distinct features of the image portrayed, but have no 
power to adjust the parts in their appropriate relative 
place ; but the fulfilment of the prophecy solves every 
difficulty, and renders each part plain and simple. 



24. Is such a species of juggling ever found in the Old Testa- 

ment 1 

25. What do you mean by the obscurity of prophecy % 

26. When is it obscure 1 27. When is it plain 1 

10* 



114 PROOF OF THE INSPIRATION 

We see this especially in the prophecies of the Old 
Testament relating to the coming of Jesus Christ. 

Previous to His advent, all acknowledged that a 
Messias was yet to come ; but His chequered history 
was described in such mysterious language, such 
almost irreconcilable points were to blend in His career, 
that all felt the prophecy to be involved in the deep- 
est obscurity. 

There was great wisdom in this obscurity. It 
effectually guarded against the delusion of impostors, 
who might otherwise have attempted to personify a 
prophecy clearly understood. Thus, previous to our 
Saviour's advent, none dare attempt the fulfilment of 
such a prophecy ; but, no sooner had the Son of God 
appeared, and united strange mysteries of types, and 
shadows, and prophecies in Himself, than multitudes 
of impostors, catching the idea which our Saviour had 
embodied, came forward, and pretended tO be the 
Saviour that was to come. 

So also there is another benefit from the obscurity 
of prophecy ; — it leads to continual watchfulness. As 
all, in all ages of the world, are alike uncertain re- 
specting the time of the fulfilment, so all have equal 
cause for perpetual watchfulness against the approach 
of the event itself This is eminently true of the 
second advent of our blessed Saviour. 

III. With these remarks upon the general subject of 

28. Where do we see this ? 

29. Why is there wisdom in this obscurity 1 

30. How is this seen in respect to the Saviour 1 

31. What is another benefit of this obscurity 1 



I 



OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 115 

prophecy, let us now examine a few of the more 
prominent prophecies of the Old Testament, with 
their fulfilment, and thus derive an argument that 
the book which contains such predictions, must have 
had its origin in the omniscience and wisdom of the 
Supreme Being. 

We pass by many predictions, the fulfilment of 
which was more immediate, and of which there is 
consequently less external proof; such as the plagues 
with which God threatened and afflicted Pharaoh and 
the Egyptians in the time of Moses, atso many proph- 
ecies pertaining to the departure, the journey, and 
the settlement of Israel, and also many personal pre- 
dictions respecting individuals, as Korah, Dathan, 
Abiram, Ahab, Hezekiah, and Sennacherib. 

We propose to examine a few prophecies uttered 
long previous to their fulfilment, and of which there 
is abundant external proof 

First. It was predicted respecting Abraham, at a 
time when he was childless, and greatly advanced in 
years, that his posterity should be greatly multiplied ; 
should be strangers in a land not theirs ; should serve 
their oppressors four hundred years ; that their op- 
pressors should be judged and humbled ; that his 
descendants should come out of bondage with great 
substance, and should possess all the country from the 

3*2. What is the next subject of inquiry '? 

33. What is passed by 1 34. What is examined 7 

35. What prophecy is first examined 1 

36. State the particulars of this prophecy respecting Abra- 

ham. 



116 PROOF OF THE INSPIRATION 

river of Egypt unto the great river Euphrates. (See 
Gen. XV. and xvii.) 

All these prophecies were literally and remarkably 
fulfilled. Their bondage in Egypt ; the judgments 
upon the Egyptians ; the final settlement of the Isra- 
elites in Canaan ; their prosperity ; the extent of their 
territory, and grandeur of their kingdom, especially 
in the reigns of David and Solomon, are fully attested. 
Within five hundred years from the promise to Abra- 
ham, the number of the Israelites amounted to six 
hundred thousand men, besides women and children. 

Second. It was prophesied respecting Ishmael, the 
son of Abraham and Hagar, that his descendants 
should be numerous ; that he should beget twelve 
princes ; that he should be a wild man ; that he should 
be free as the wild ass ; that his home should be the 
wilderness ; that he should scorn the habitations of 
cities ; that his hand should be against every man, 
and every man's hand against him. (See Gren. xvi. 
and xvii.) 

From Ishmael sprang the various tribes of Arabs, 
also called Saracens by Christian writers. And their 



37. Where are these prophecies contained 1 

38. Have you examined them ? 

39. Were these literally fulfilled '? 

40. What was the number of the children of Israel at a cer- 

tain time 1 

41. What was the prophecy respecting Ishmael 1 

42. Who was Ishmael '? 

43. Where are these prophecies contained '? 

44. Who sprang from Ishmael 7 



OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 117 

history, as known to the world, confirms the above 
prophecy in every particular. 

During the middle ages, when the Saracens made 
extensive conquests, they became a great and power- 
ful nation. They remain to this day an unconquered 
people. Their hand has been against every man, and 
every man's hand against them ; they have remained 
to this hour a wandering, lawless band of robbers, 
scorning the abodes of civilized life, and roving over 
the same lands whither they went forth more than 
three thousand years ago. In ancient times, Sesos- 
tris, Cyrus, Pompey, and Trajan, attempted in vain 
to subjugate them ; and yet, to this day, they have 
maintained their independence against all modern 
attempts to conquer them ; and they offer, at this 
moment, the strongest possible proof of the truth of 
prophecy. 

Third. Respecting the Jews, remarkable prophecies 
were uttered, which have been as remarkably fulfilled. 
* It was prophesied concerning them, that they 
should be besieged, and their cities taken ; that they 
should suffer such grievous famines, that mothers, ten- 
der and delicately brought up, should eat the flesh of 
their own infants and children ; that they should be 



45. Does their history answer to that prophecy '? 

46. When were they a strong nation 1 

47. What is, and ever has been, their character 1 

48. Who tried to subdue them 1 

49. Are they not a proof of the truth of this prophecy 1 

50. What prophecies are next examined 1 

51. State the particulars of that prophecy. 



118 PROOF OF THE IXSPIE.ATTON 

scattered, and become wanderers among all nations ; 
should become few in number among the heathen, and 
should become a proverb and a byword unto all na- 
tions. (See Deut. xxviii. Ezek. v. Isaiah xxiv. 
Hos. iii. 4; viii. 8; ix. 17, &c.) 

All these prophecies have been verified to the very 
letter. Under the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babyloni- 
ans, and especially the Romans, they have sufi'ered 
every vengeance threatened upon them; and they 
remain to this day a standing monument, a living- 
witness, a perpetual miracle of truth, to confirm those 
prophecies uttered hundreds and thousands of years 
before concerning them. As a modern writer on 
prophecy says, 

" There is not a country on the face of the earth 
where the Jews are unknown. They are found alike 
in Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. They are 
citizens of the world without a country. Neither 
mountains, nor rivers, nor deserts, nor oceans, which 
are the boundaries of other nations, have terminated 
their wanderings. They abound in Poland, in Hol- 
land, in Russia, and in Turkey. In Germany, Spain, 
Italy, France, and Britain, they are more thinly scat- 
tered. In Persia, China, and India, on the east and 
west of the Ganges, they are few in number among 

52. Where are those prophecies contained'? 

53. Under whom did they suffer 1 

54. When especially did they suffer from hunger 1 

55. What is true of their dispersion 1 

56. Where are they found 7 

57. Repeat the testimony of the author quoted. 



01^ THE OLD TEStAMENT. 119 

the heathen. They have trod the snows of Siberiaj 
and the sands of the burning desert ; and the Euro- 
pean traveller hears of their existence in regions 
which he cannot reach, even in the very interior of 
Africa, south of Timbuctoo*" — - Keith'' s Evidence^ 8vo* 
p. 84. 

There are very remarkable prophecies unfulfilled 
respecting the Jews, which neither our argument nor 
our limits will allow us to examine. 

Fourth. Concerning Tyre, remarkable prophecies 
were uttered. It was declared that the Chaldeans 
and Babylonians should come upon it and destroy its 
walls, and break down its towers ; that its riches and 
merchandise should be spoiled ; that the noise of its 
songs and sound of its harps should be no more 
heard ; that it should be like the top of a rock, and 
a place to spread nets upon ; that it should be a deso- 
late city, and never be found again. (Ezek. xxvi. and 
xxvii.) And yet, at the uttering of this prophecy, 
Tyre was one of the most opulent and flourishing 
cities in the world, and prosperously engaged in com* 
mercial enterprise. Persia, and Assyria, and Arabia, 
and Egypt, and the whole surrounding country, were 
tributary to its glory and riches. 

But this once flourishing city is now utterly de- 

58. Are these prophecies, respecting the Jews^ yet unfulfilled 1 

59. What prophecies are next examined '? 

60. What was prophesied concerning it 1 

61. Where are those prophecies contained'? 

62. What was the condition of Tyre then 1 

63. Where was Tyre situated ] 



120 PROOF OF THE INSPIRATION 

strojed. Successively it was weakened by conquest 
after conquest over it ; and the lamentations of Eze- 
kiel upon its overthrow are the sad and striking pic- 
ture of its utter ruin. 

A modern traveller says, " Besides an old Turkish 
ungarrisoned castle, you see nothing here but a mere 
Babel of broken walls, pillars, vaults, &c., there being 
not so much as one entire house left ; its present in- 
habitants are only a few poor wretches, harboring 
themselves in the vaults, and subsisting chiefly upon 
fishing, who seem to be preserved in this place by 
Divine Providence, as a visible argument how Gron 
has fulfilled His word respecting Tyre, that it should 
be as the top of a rock, a place for fishers to dry their 
nets on." — MaundreWs Travels^ p. 48. 

Two modern travellers, in 1823, describe the town 
and harbor as environed by rocks, on the ledges of 
which are scattered in every direction the fragments 
of ancient columns, and express their conviction that 
the waves of the sea now roll where once stood the 
vast and magnificent palaces of Tyrian wealth and 
luxury. And another traveller actually describes the 
fishermen of Tyre as spreading their nets to dry upon 
the rocks, strewed with crumbling columns, thus veri- 
fying to the letter the ancient prophecy. 

64. What is its condition now 1 

65. What does a modern traveller say'? 
m. What did travellers in 1823 find 1 

67. What is their opinion ? 

68. Where are those columns found ? 

69. Is not this a fulfilment of prophecy'? 



OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 121 

Fifth. Our limits will not allow us to examine the 
prophecies of the Old Testament respecting Ethiopia, 
and Nineveh, and Babylon ; prophecies, on which, if 
standing alone, we would be willing to rest the whole 
argument from prophecy for the inspiration of the 
Bible. (See Is. xviii. 1-6 ; xx. 3-5 ; xliii. 3. Ezek. 
XXX, 4-6. Nahum i. 8, 9 ; ii. 8-13: iii. 17-19. Is. 
xiii., xliv. Jer. 1., li.) 

Sixth. The prophecies referring to Egypt are of 
peculiar interest. Egypt was one of the powerful 
nations of ancient times. It was the great nursery 
of the arts and sciences. Its geographical position, 
and the untiring industry of its inhabitants, made it 
one of the most prominent actors in the drama of the 
ancient world. It is said to have contained at one 
time eighteen thousand cities, and seventeen millions 
of people. The ruins of Thebes, with its hundred 
gates, and the pyramids, still towering in the heav- 
ens in solitary grandeur, are proofs now of what 
Egypt was once. 

Yet Egypt, while still in her glory, was the subject 
of prophecy. It was predicted that Egypt should be 



70. What prophecies are passed by 1 

71. Are they not important ? 72. Where are they found ? 

73. What prophecies are next examined? 

74. Are these important — and why 1 

75. What was the former condition of Egypt '? 

76. What gave it prominence ? 

77. What was once its population 1 

78. What proofs of its magnificence remain '? 

79. Can you describe these 1 

11 



122 PROOF OF THE INSPIRATION 

^^ the basest of kingdoms ;" neither should '^ it exalt 
itself among the nations any more ;" that her rivers 
should become dry, and her land be sold into the hand 
of the wicked, &c. (See Ezek. xxix., xxxii. Is. xix. 
Jer. xliii. 8-13.) Two thousand and four hundred 
years have passed by since such things were spoken, 
and when such results seemed most improbable. 

And yet, every particular of that prophecy has 
proved signally true. Conquered successively by 
Babylonians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, and 
Saracens, it finally became a wretched tributary to 
the Turks, under whom it is still held in servile 
bondage. The winds and sands of the deserts sweep 
over her ruined cities ; her rivers, or aqueducts, which 
once watered the country, are dried up ; deserts^ 
dreary and wide spreading, stretch across her coun- 
try ; vegetation is withered ; and it is a truthful and 
melancholy picture of Egypt as beheld by the seer's 
eye ages since, and a most complete fulfilment of the 
prophecy of Gtod. 

Seventh. Before leaving the subject of Old Testa- 
ment prophecy, we must glance at one remaining ob 
ject of prophecy, towards which the great mass of those 
predictions pointed as steadily as the needle to its 

80. What is the condition of the country now 1 

81. Who have been its conquerors 1 
8*2. Where are its cities 1 

83. Who hold it in bondage now 1 

84. Is the prophecy fulfilled 1 

85. What is the last subject of prophecy examined 1 

86. Is it most important — and why 1 



OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 123 

pole. I need not say tbat that object was Jesus 
Christ. 

Frpm the first Book of the Old Testament down to 
the time when prophecy for the time ceased, was there 
a series of predictions, all pointing forward to One 
who was to appear in the world. Even the heathen 
world caught the news of a coming Deliverer and 
Saviour, and embalmed in its immortal verse the story 
of the Kedeemer yet to come. 

These prophecies were uttered during a period of 
almost four thousand years, by a great variety of 
persons, who spoke '' at sundry times and in divers 
manners ;" they are specific in their meaning, and 
comprehend a minute description of every important 
event in His remarkable history. The condition of the 
world, and of the Jewish nation at the time when He 
should appear ; the tribe, the family, and the person 
from whom He should descend ; the town in which 
He should be born ; His flight into Egypt ; the mur- 
der of the innocents ; His humility, in all its details ; 
His miracles ; His instructions ; His rejection ; His 
sufferings ; His crucifixion ; His agony ; the disposal 
of His garments ; the ignominy of the cross ; the 
wormwood and the gall ; His burial ; His resurrec- 

87. Where are these prophecies found 1 \ 

88. Did the heathen world hear of theml 

89. What was the character of these prophecies 1 

90. Describe them particularly. 

91. What particulars were subjects of prophecy'? 

92. What in our Saviour's life 1 

93. Were all these fulfilled 7 



124 PROOF OF THE INSPIRATION 

tion, and His ascension ; all these are stated with the 
greatest particularity. 

So remarkably minute and circumstantial are these 
prophecies, that the question has been raised whether 
some of them were not actually written subsequent 
to His advent ; when the whole Jewish writings, scat- 
tered every where over the world, hundreds of years 
previous to His birth, prove the utter impossibility 
of such a supposition. 

Such an assemblage of prophecies, undeniably ful- 
filled in the person of Jesus Christ, form one of the 
strongest possible arguments for the inspiration of the 
volume in which they are contained, and throughout 
the whole of which, like gems, they are scattered. 

Eighth. Such, in conclusion, is a brief presentation 
of the argument from prophecy that the Old Testa- 
ment is an inspired book. The half has not been told, 
and yet enough has been said. 

As we go forth into a doubting, scoffing world, where 
ignorance, wickedness, and ingenuity, meet us at every 
corner of the streets, we are bound, in duty to our- 
selves and to our God, to arm ourselves with the 
panoply of Truth, that we may be able to give to every 
man that asketh a reason for the hope that is in us. 

This argument, from prophecy, for Grod's truth, is 

94. What question has been raised 1 

95. Is this supposition impossible — and why 1 
98. Is this argument very strong '? 

97. Review the whole argument irom prophecy. 

98. What is a concluding reflection ? 

99. Yv^hat duty do we owe 1 



OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. 125 

one which we need not hesitate to believe, or fear to 
urtre. It will bear the severest test. Thousands of 
the greatest minds have bowed to its authority. As 
the spirit within us trembles with apprehension in 
view of the dark futurity to come, it may here gather 
strength. As it is cast down with afflictions and sor- 
rows, the inevitable lot of all, it may here gather balm 
for a broken, bleeding heart. As it sinks under the 
consciousness of ill desert, it may here listen to the 
whispers of pardon and peace. 

Will the reader carry with him into the temptations 
of the world, and to the realities of a dying hour, the 
intelligent conviction of his understanding and of his 
judgment, that in planting himself upon the truth of 
God's Holy Word, he is not following a cunningly 
devised fable. 

Study this sacred volume. Listen to its teachings. 
Follow its precepts. Avert from you its threaten- 
ings. Hear the sweet music of its tones of love and 
mercy. Live in the light of its unseen truths — and 
may we all, through the riches of God's grace in His 
Son, finally attain the fullness of its promises. 

100. How should we regard the Scriptures of the Old Testa- 
ment 7 101. What can you say of this argument ? 
102. What are some of the duties resulting from the subject 1 
11# 



CHAPTEE VII. 

AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS OF THE 
BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

In the last chapter we examined the evidences of 
the inspiration of the Old Testament, derived from 
the prophecies therein contained which have been 
already fulfilled. 

We now propose to examine another portion of the 
sacred volume. 

We have in our hands a book usually known as the 
New Testament, which professes to give an account 
of Jesus Christ, the Son of Gtod, the Saviour of the 
world ; of His birth, life, sufferings, death, burial, 
resurrection, and ascension. Also of His miracles, 
doctrines, disciples, apostles, and institutions. It is 
a volume of which the contents are infinitely import- 
ant to us, in what they teach us respecting our present 
existence and our eternal destiny. 

1. What was the subject of the last chapter 1 

2. What does the New Testament contain 1 

3. What do you mean by the Authenticity of the New Testa- 

ment'? 4. What by its Genuineness? 



AUTHENTICITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 127 

We propose now to sliow that this volume was writ- 
ten at the time when it purports to have been writ- 
ten, by certain persons to whom it is usually ascribed ; 
that these writings have been handed down uncor- 
rupted to our own day, and that they are fully en- 
titled to an intelligent reception. 

This subject is worthy of our most earnest atten- 
tion. If we were describing titles to worldly estates, 
about which there was some dispute, or were we ex- 
amining evidences on which we rely in guarantying 
to ourselves, at no distant day, the possession of mar- 
ble palaces, and golden crowns, and splendid cities, 
and the most delightful entertainments, surely the 
subject would receive attentive examination. 

And yet, treasures infinitely more valuable than 
these are to have their titles discussed ; treasures too 
lightly appreciated, and in respect to which our faith 
is too weak, our hopes too faint, and our love too. cold. 

In the present chapter we propose to show — 

First. That the system of Christianity was estab- 
lished in the world at the time usually ascribed to 
its establishment. 

Second. That certain sacred writings, now known 



5. What is the subject of this chapter ? 

6. Is it an important subject — and why'? 

7. How should we examine titles to earthly possessions 1 

8. Is this subject of less importance 7 9. Why not '? 

10. State the need of examining this subject. 

11. What are we to show respecting the establishment of 

Christianity 1 

12. What respecting the New Testament 1 



128 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

as the '' New Testamentj" were, in the earliest ages 
of Christianity, in existence ; were universally appealed 
to as the productions of the apostles and early preach- 
ers whose names they bear ; were appealed to as con- 
taining the principles and doctrines of Christianity ; 
and 

Third. That those same sacred writings have been 
handed down, uncorrupted, to our own day. 

The establishment of these three important posi- 
tions, will form the subject of our present chapter. 

Our first position is, that Christianity was estab- 
lished in the world at the time usually agcribed to it. 

This position is not now usually denied. Some of 
the false religions of the world claim an antiquity 
which is beyond doubt fabulous ; but the bitterest re- 
vilers of Christianity have never been able seriously 
to question the fact that Christianity had its origin 
in tlie world at the time usually claimed for and con- 
ceded to it. A few authorities, therefore, will suffice 
under this head. 

Josephus, the Jewish historian, who was born but 
a few years after our Saviour, in the eighteenth book 
of his Jewish Antiquities, has a passage in which he 
mentions particularly one whose name was Jesus, and 
whom he describes as a wise man. '' if he may be called 
a man." The genuineness of this passage has, how- 
ever, been questioned, and we will not dwell upon it. 

13. What respecting its transmission % 

14. What is the first position'? 15. Is it usually denied % 

16. May not any fact be ignprantly or wilfully denied '? 

17. Relate the testimony of Josephus. 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 129 

The early Church historian, EusebiuSj relates an- 
other curious historical relic. It is that of a letter, 
said to have been written by Abgarus, king of Edessa, 
who was sick, and sent to Jesus, requesting that He 
would come and heal him. He also gives the letter 
of Jesus, in reply, in which He promises, after He 
should be received up to Heaven, to send one of His 
disciples, who should cure him. This historical fact 
is supported by such authority as Dr. Cave and Dr. 
Pearson, but is questioned by others. 

We advance, therefore, to proof of which there can 
be no doubt. Such proof is found in the letter of 
Pliny the younger to the Emperor Trajan. Pliny 
was a Roman governor of the provinces of Pontus and 
Bithynia, in the year A.D. 103, and Trajan was em- 
peror of Rome, both being of the pagan religion. 
During Trajan's reign a severe persecution was waged 
against the Christians, and Pliny writes a letter to 
Trajan, giving an account of the persecution, of the 
conduct of the Christians, of their number, of their 
fortitude, of their worship, and asks advice of Trajan 
how to proceed. 



18. Relate the incident recorded by Easebius. 

19. When and where was Eusebias born '? Aiis. In Caesarea, 

in Palestine, about A.D. 270. 

20. For what are his labors valuable 1 

21. Has there been doubt respecting this incident concerning 

our Saviour 7 22. Who gives us other testimony '? 
23. Who was Pliny ? 24. When did he live % 
25. Was he a Christian'? 26. To whom did he write? 
27. On what account 1 



130 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

This correspondence between Pliny and Trajan is 
of the highest value to us. Its genuineness has never 
been questioned. Pliny states that the whole fault 
of the Christians '' lay in this ; that they were w^ont 
to meet together, on a stated day, before it was light, 
and sing among themselves alternately a hymn to 
Christ, as a God, and bind themselves, by an oath, 
not to the commission of any wickedness, but not to 
be guilty of theft, robbery, or adultery, never to falsify 
their word, nor to deny a pledge committed to them 
when called upon to return it." 

Pliny speaks also of the great number of persons 
who are in danger of suffering. For many of all ages, 
and every rank, of both sexes, are accused. That 
'' the contagion of this superstition (as he calls it) has 
seized not only cities, but the lesser towns also, and 
the open country." And he describes the heathen 
temples as almost deserted ; and that they who are 
really Christians could not by any means be brought 
to revile the name of Christ. 

Now, we refer to this correspondence, between a 
Roman governor and his emperor, as decisive upon 
the point before us. It is not the testimony of jChris- 
tians, but of the enemies of Christianity, and is clear 
and explicit in proving, that as early as the year of 

28. Has this testimony been questioned 1 

29. What is the testimony 1 

30. What does he say of the existence and spread of Chris- 

tianity 1 

31. What concerning the character of the Christians 1 

32. What is the sum of this testimony 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 131 

our Lord 100, the religion of Jesus Ciihist had be- 
come thoroughly planted in the cities, villages, and 
small towns of Pontus and Bithynia ; while we know 
from other sources, that it had become spread exten- 
sively in other parts of the world. 

The Latin historian Tacitus gives testimony equally 
decisive. After describing the terrible fire at Rome, 
in the tenth year of the reign of Nero, and the sixty- 
fourth of our Lord, in which a great part of the city 
was destroyed, he says, that " Nero, to suppress the 
common rumor and infamy of having set the city on 
fire, procured others to he accused^ and inflicted exquisite 
punishments upon those people who were in abhor- 
rence for their crimes, and were commonly known by 
the name of Christians. He says, they had their 
denomination (or name) from Ghristus, who in the 
reign of Tiberius was put to death as a criminal by 
the Procurator, Pontius Pilate. He says, '^ They 
were condemned, not so much for burning the city, as 
for their enmity to mankind. That their executions 
were so contrived as to expose them to derision and 
contempt. Some were covered over with the skins of 
wild beasts, and torn to pieces by dogs. Some were 
crucified. Others, having been daubed over with 
combustible materials, were set up as lights in the 
night time, and thus burned to death ; and that Nero 
acted a chief part in these cruel tragedies, and that at 

33. What other author affords testimony in point ? 

34. Who does he say set the city on fire 1 

35. For what reason 1 

36. What were the sufferings of the Christians 1 



132 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

length so much suffering, merely to gratify the cruelty 
of one man^hegSLH to awaken public commiseration." — 
Tacit. Ann.^ xv., c. 44. 

Now, Tacitus, though an enemy to Christianity, 
thus bears the strongest testimony to the existence 
of Christianity at that early day — also to the life, 
sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ, under Pontius 
Pilate, as also to the sufferings of the Christians, 
merely to gratify the vindictive malice of Nero. 

These proofs from Pliny and Tacitus, pagan writers, 
are enough, without appealing to Christian authorities, 
to prove our first position, that Christianity had its 
origin in the world. at an age or period of time usually 
ascribed to it. 

Second. We come next to our second position, that 
there were then in existence certain sacred writings, 
now known as the Books of the New Testament, 
which were then universally appealed to as the pro- 
ductions of the apostles, or evangelists, whose names 
they bear, and as containing the fundamental truths 
and doctrines of Christianity. 

This is a position of great importance, and worthy 
of our earnest consideration. So far from it being 
true, as revilers sometimes say, that the New Testa- 
ment was written we know not when, or by whom, 
perhaps at a later and corrupt age, or perhaps has been 
essentially altered from its original purity and simplici- 

37. Does he not acknowledge the existence and prevalence of 

Christianity at that day *? 

38. State the substance of his testimony. 

39. What is the next general position ? 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 133 

ty ; we have it in our power to show, that these sacred 
writings are sustained by an authority of historic evi- 
dence of the most satisfactory character, and such as 
must forever silence all such objections. 

We appeal, in proof, first to the early enemies of 
Christianity, not because we are willing to give up the 
testimony of the early Christians, or that their testi- 
mony of itself is not conclusive, but to show how 
strong is that chain of testimony on which we rely. 

Among the ablest and bitterest enemies of Chris- 
tianity in the early times, was Celsus ; who, in the 
year A.D. 176, and in the time of the Emperor Mar- 
cus Antoninus, undertook an elaborate argument 
against Christianity. Considering the time when, 
and the object for which he wrote, his works are of 
the greatest use to us in settling the point before us, 
to wit, that the early Christians had even then the 
writings of the New Testament. For, as Chrysostom 
says, " Celsus and Porphyry are sufficient witnesses 
to the antiquity of our Books. For, I presume, they 
did not oppose writings which have been published 
since their own time." 

Celsus quotes constantly and at length from the 
four Gospels, as also from the Epistles of the New 
Testament ; and with such particularity, that from 

40. In what way were the writings of the New Testament 

appealed to'? 41. Who was Celsus 7 
42. When did he live 1 43. What were some of his labors ? 

44. Why are his labors valuable to us *? 

45. What does Chrysostom say ? 

46. What books of the New Testament does Celsus quote 1 

12 



134 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

his writings alone, almost every incident in the life 
of our Saviour could be gathered. There is scarcely 
one event in His history, from His birth in the man- 
ger to His ascension, to which Celsus does not allude. 
His labors, miracles, instructions, sufferings, agony, 
trial, crucifixion, prayer, and burial, seem to have 
been taken for granted by Celsus. An able writer 
remarks, that there are in his writings about eighty 
quotations from the Books of the New Testament, or 
allusions to them. Indeed, he must have set down 
to his work with the writings of the New Testament 
open before him. He alludes to the leading events 
therein recorded. He does not pretend to deny the 
facts there stated, for the world then was full of proof 
of their truthfulness. He admits the facts, and 
then tries to evade their force. The miracles of our 
Saviour he admits, but attributes them to magic and 
divination. The Apostles he ridicules because they 
were fishermen and men in humble life. The doc- 
trines of Christ he derides, as unlike the wisdom of 
the world. And yet, in all this, he undesignedly, but 
most unequivocally bears testimony of the strongest 
character to the existence of those sacred books in 
which these facts are recorded. Besides, he alludes 
to no books which are not now contained in the New 

47. In what way does he allude to the Saviour 1 

48. How many quotations from or allusions to the New Tes- 

ment does he make 1 

49. Does he deny the leading facts in the New Testament ? 

50. How does he account for them ? [now known 1 

51. Does he allude to any books of the New Testament not 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 135 

Testament ; so that his testimony is proof of the in- 
tegrity^ or comj)lete7iess^ as well as the existence of the 
writings of the New Testament. 

We presume it will not be affirmed that Celsus, 
universally acknowledged to have lived but a little 
more than one hundred years after Christ, should 
have made more than eighty quotations from^ or allu- 
sions to the New Testament, when no such books had 
then an existence. 

We have dwelt more at length upon the testimony 
of Celsus, because of its importance ; because it can- 
not be regarded as the partial statement of a friend, 
but is the involuntary acknowledgment of an enemy, 
to the fact of the existence of the sacred writings at 
that early day. The writings of other enemies of 
Christianity, as Porphyry and Julian, are scarcely 
less clear and explicit. 

Early Christian writers give us more particular tes- 
timony respecting the origin, compilation, and trans- 
mission of the Books of the New Testament. 

It appears from them, that certain of the Apostles 
and early disciples who were personally conversant 
with our Saviour, wrote that account of His life which 
we have in " the Four Gospels." That a little while 
subsequently, certain of the Apostles, having planted 
churches in various places, wrote to them Epistles, 

52. Must not the New Testament have been in existence theni 

53. Could it have been the production of a later age % 

54. What do early Christian writers say'? 

55. Who wrote " the four Gospels 7" 

56. On what occasion were the Epistles written ? 



136 AL'THENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

instructing them more perfectly in the faith of • 
Christ, rebuking certain errors in doctrine and prac- 
tice, and enjoining certain duties. These Epistles 
from the inspired Apostles were very early copied, and 
distributed from church to church. They were soon 
known to the whole Church, were publicly read in their 
Christian assemblies, and copies of them deposited in 
their churches. A broad line of demarcation was 
soon drawn between writings of a higher, and those 
of a loioer authority — or writings which, though in- 
structive and useful, yet were not regarded as of divine 
authority. 

The early Christian writers, as the apostolic Fathers 
and those after them, constantly refer to the Books 
of the ^' New Testament " as being well known. 

Thus Barnabas, who is frequently mentioned in the 
" Acts of the Apostles," in an Epistle still extant, 
quotes directly from the Gospel of St. Matthew, and 
makes frequent allusions to the Epistles. 

St. Clement, Bishop of Bome, who was cotemporary 
with St. Paul, and called by him in the ^' Acts of the 
Apostles " his " fellow-laborer," quotes one of the 
Books of the New Testament by name, and makes fre- 
quent and very distinct allusions to others. He seems 
to allude to the Gospel of St. Matthew, to the Acts 

57. How were they used in the early Church 1 

58. How do the Apostolic Fathers speak of the books of the 

New Testament 1 

59. What books does Barnabas quote 1 

60. Who was St. Clement of Rome ? 

61. What books does he quote or mention^ 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 137 

of the Apostles, to St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans ; 
to both the Epistles to the Corinthians ; to the Epis- 
tles to the GralatianSj Ephesians, Philippians, Colos- 
sians, first Epistle to the Thessalonians, first and sec- 
ond Epistles to Timothy, to the Epistle to Titus, to 
the Hebrews, the Epistle of St. James, the first and 
second Epistles of St. Peter. He makes no allusion 
to any book now regarded as apocryphal. 

Hermas, who also lived in the times of the Apostle 
Paul, and is mentioned by him (Rom. xvi. 14), in a 
book written in the year A.D. 92, makes constant allu- 
sions to the writings of the New Testament ; to three 
of the Gospels, to the Book of the Acts, to fifteen of 
the Epistles, and to the Book of the Revelation. 

Here, then, during the very first century, within 
the life-time of one of the Apostles, we have quotations 
from the Books of the New Testament by name, and 
allusions to the great mass of these sacred writings. 

As we enter the second century, we find proofs of 
the existence of the Books of the New Testament 
multiplying in great abundance. 

Ignatius, in the year A.D. 107, mentions one of the 
Books of the New Testament by name (St. Paul to 
the Ephesians), and makes constant allusions to 
others. 

62. When did Hermas live 1 

63. To what books does he allude 1 

64. Repeat the testimony of the first century. 

65. Could those writers have been mistaken'? 

66. What writer of the second century is first mentioned*? 

67. When did he live 1 6S. What book does he quote 1 

12* 



138 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

Polycarp, of the year A.D. 108, calls the writings 
of the New Testament " the Holy Scriptures/' and 
appeals constantly to them. 

Justin Martyr, only thirty years afterward, in his 
two Apologies to the Roman Emperors, and his Dia- 
logue with Trypho the Jew, appeals to these sacred 
writings publicly, and before the world, as being books 
well known, calls them '' Christ's memoirs," " Com- 
mentaries of the Apostles," &c., and mentions also that 
they were read and expounded in the solemn assem- 
blies of the Christians. 

St. Irenaeus, thirty years after, A.D. 178, gives us 
the names of the authors of the "• Four Gospels," and 
mentions the sabjects upon which they wrote. He 
also distinctly mentions the '' Acts of the Apostles," 
and twelve of St. Paul's Epistles by name. He dig- 
nifies them by the titles, '' Divine Scriptures," '^ Di- 
vine oracles," and " Scriptures of the Lord." 

St. Clement of Alexandria, twenty years after, ex- 
pressly owns the '• Four Gospels," fourteen Epistles 
of St. Paul, the first and second Epistle of St. John, 
. the first Epistle of St. Peter, the Epistle of St. Jude, 



,69. When did Polycarp live 1 70. What is his testimony 1 

71. When did Justin Martyr live? 

72. What works of his can you name 1 

73. How does he speak of the New Testament 1 

74. When did St. Irenaeus live 1 

75. How does he speak of the sacred books 1 

76. What does he call them '? 

77. When did Clement of Alexandria live 1 

78. What books does he name ? 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 139 

and the Book of tlie Eevelation ; and he calls them 
the " Divine Scriptures," the '' Divinelj inspired 
Scriptures," and the " Holy Books." 

To close the second century, Tertullian, the most 
ancient Latin father, has left behind him proofs that 
he had before him and received all the Books of the 
New Testament which are now commonly acknow- 
ledged, except the Epistle of St. James, the second 
of Peter, and the second and third of John. And he 
speaks of the Holy Scriptures as open to all, and as 
well known to the world in his own time. 

As we enter the third century, we begin to find 
still more systematic order and arrangement observed 
in respect to the Books of the New Testament. Com- 
plete catalogues of the Books begin to appear. Spu- 
rious and apocryphal books are more clearly distin- 
guished from those that are genuine and canonical. 
Commentaries, or expositions upon the sacred writings, 
begin to meet us, and great efforts are apparent to 
excite all men to a diligent perusal of the inspired 
volume. Especially is this true of that great scholar 
and laborious commxcntator upon the Sacred Scrip- 



79. Wliat does he call them ? 

80. What author is next named 1 

81. What books had he before him 7 

82. Give the sum of the evidence of the first and second cen- 

turies, 

83. As we enter the third century, what is the character of 

the evidence 1 84. Do catalogues appear 1 

85. Mention the fact respecting commentaries. 

86. Was the Bible read by the people '? 



140 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

tures, Origen, who flourislied in the early part of this 
century. 

As we leave the third and enter the fourth century, 
testimony to the existence and integrity of the Books 
of the New Testament becomes more and more abun- 
dant. In the writings of this century, we find not 
fewer than ten distinct catalogues of those Books. Es- 
pecially now do we meet with those great lights of the 
early Church, Eusebius and Athanasius, both of 
whom give us exact lists of the Books of the Old and 
New Testaments, and such treatises upon their con- 
tents, as assure us that the Canon of the New Testa- 
ment had become already well established. 

It is here deserving of note, that the list of the 
canonical Books of the New Testament seems not to 
have been framed, at first, by the authority of any 
council. The usage of the early Churchy and the gen- 
eral consent of the early Fathers of the Churchy appear 
to have settled that question before any council had 
acted upon it. 

Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, in the latter part of 
the fourth century, thus fairly states the case : 

" We know the writings of the Apostles, as we know 
the words of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Varro, and 

87. What great commentator is named of this century ? 

88. As we enter the fourth century, what testimony .appears '? 

89. How many catalogues have been discovered 1 

90. What great historians then lived % 

91. What testimony did they leave 1 

92. How was the Canon of the New Testament framed 1 

93. What does Augustine of Hippo say ? 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 141 

others, to be theirs : aud as we know the writings of 
divers ecclesiastical authors ; forasmuch as they have , 
the testimony of contemporaries, and of those who 
have lived in succeeding times." 

The Council of Laodicea, held A.D. 363, was the 
first council which attempted to establish the list of 
the canonical Books of the New Testament. 

Before leaving this part of the subject, it should 
be observed, that never by the early Church were any 
of those Books regarded as inspired, or canonical, 
which are now thought to be apocryphal, although 
certain ancient writings were sometimes publicly read 
in the churches, as containing godly and useful in- 
struction,: while, again, on the other hand, some of 
.those Books which are now regarded as canonical, 
while approved by the greater part of the early Church, 
yet by some were controverted. This is true espe- 
cially of the Epistle of St. James, that of St. Jude, 
the second of St. Peter, and the second and third of 
St. John. While, concerning the four Grospels, the 
Acts of the Apostles, thirteen Epistles of St. Paul, 
the first Epistle of St. Peter, and the first Epistle of 

94. What council first acted on the subject of the canonical 

books '? 

95. Y/ere any of those books, now regarded as apocryphal, 

ever thought in the early Church to be canonical 1 
9G. How ought those apocryphal books to be regarded now 1 
Ajis. As containing valuable historical knowledge and 
instruction, but not as being inspired. 

97. Was the complete list of canonical books settled at first 7 

98. Is not this easily accounted for ? 



142 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

St. John, there was never any doubfc, This fact shows 
with what extreme caution writings addressed to diifer- 
ent and distant parts of the Church at length found 
their way to universal confidence. The following list 
of ancient writers is given, of those who had the very 
same canonical list of the Books of the New Testa- 
ment which is received in our times. Epiphanius, 
Basil, Gregory Nazianzen, Amphilochius, Gregory 
Nyssen, Jerome, Eufinus, the Third Council of Car- 
thage, Augustine, Innocent I., Isidore of Pelusium; 
Cyril of Alexandria, Cassian, Prosper of Aquitain, 
Vincent, Eucherius Bishop of Lyons, Sedulius, Leo 
Bishop of Kome, Salvian, Dionysius, Gelasius Bishop 
of Rome, Andrew, Eacundus. All of these authori- 
ties, within the first five centuries of the Christian 
Church, may he brought in proof of the canonical 
authority of all those Books of the New Testament 
which we now receive. 

Such is a slight sketch of the proof upon our sec- 
ond important position, that the Books of the New 
Testament were universally known and appealed to 
in the early Church as the works of the Apostles and 
apostolic men, and as containing the fundamental 
truths of Christianity. 

III. We now come to our third position, that those 

99. What does this prove 1 

100. What books were always thought canonical ? 

101. Name the early writers who had the same list of canoni- 

cal books with us. 

102. Was not the canonical authority of all the books early 

settled 1 103. What is the third general position 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 143 

same sacred writings of the New Testamentj as they 
existed in the early Church, hare been handed down 
nncorrupted to our own day. 

A brief statement of the arguments upon this point 
is all that our limits will allow. Enough however 
will be said, we trust, to satisfy the inquiring. 

And first, we have a strongly presumptive argu- 
ment that the sacred writings have been safely trans- 
mitted to us, in the truth of the Providence of God. 
He who gave His Truth to the world, without doubt, 
would have a care for its preservation and transmission. 
And we believe also that He has made the Church 
of His love, of which we shall speak more particularly 
hereafter, the Witness and Keeper of Holy Writ, or, 
as St. Paul expresses it, " the pillar and ground of the 
iruthV — 1 Tim. iii. 15. 

Second. The importance of these writings themselves, 
has ever secured for them the greatest veneration, and 
the utmost possible care in transcribing them. So par- 
ticular were the early copyists and scribes, before the 
art of printing was discovered, that they not only 
transcribed with the greatest accuracy, but even the 
number of the words in the Holy Scriptures was 
counted, in order to assist in avoiding mistakes! 

Third. Another fact, which vouches for the integ- 

104. State the presumptive argument for the safe transmission 

of the sacred oracles. 

105. Is not this a strong argument 1 

108. What is the Church said to be 1 

107. How has she proved so? 108. State the next argument. 

109. What fact can you mention 1 



144 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINENESS 

ritj of the New Testamentj is the use which has con- 
stantly been made of the sacred writings in religious 
controversy. The New Testament was in the hands 
of all parties. Infidels violently assaulted every doc- 
trine therein contained, Errors and heresies sprang 
up in the Church in its early days, the teachers of 
which constantly appealed to the Books of the New 
Testament. Had any alterations been made in the 
sacred volume, by way of omission, interpolation, or 
addition, by any party, the fact would have been in- 
stantly detected and exposed. This eagle-eyed vigi- 
lance, therefore, proved a most effectual safeguard 
of the purity of the sacred volume. 

Fourth. Another important proof of the genuine- 
ness of the Books of the New Testament, is the fact 
of the great number of quotations from them by the 
early Christian writers. 

Dr. Lardner says, " There are, perhaps, more and 
larger quotations of the small volumes of the New 

110. What effect had early controversies an this subject 1 

111. Upon what doctrine did heresy early arise ? Ans. The 

Divinity of Christ. 

112. Who first called it in question 1 Aiis. The Arians, so 

called from Arius, their leader. 

113. In what creed was the true faith expressed in opposition 

to this heresy '? Ans. The Nicene Creed. 

114. What effect would these controversies have upon the 

sacred text ? 

115. Would not the least alteration have been exposed'? 

116. What is the next general argument for the genuineness 

of the writings of the New Testament 1 

117. What does Dr. Lardner say ? 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 145 

Testament in this one Christian author, Tertuliian, 
than of all the works of Cicero, though of so uncom- 
mon excellence for thought and style, in the writers 
of all characters for several ages, , And there is a 
like number of quotations of the New Testament in 
St. Irenagus, and St. Clement of Alexandria, both 
writers of the second century." — Lardnef's Works^ 
Vol. IL, p. 306. London. 8vo. 1838. 

The following fact will express the strength and 
value of this argument At a party of literary gen- 
tlemen in Edinburgh, the question was asked, " Sup- 
posing all the New Testaments in the world had been 
destroyed at the end of the third century, could their 
contents have been recovered from the writings of the 
three first centuries ?" About two months after, 
Lord Hailes, who was of the party, remarked to a 
friend as follows : 

'' On returning home, as I knew I had all the 
writers of those centuries, I began immediately to 
collect them, that I might set to work on the arduous 
task as soon as possible." Pointing to a table covered 
with papers, he continued, '•'- There have I been busy 
for these two months, searching for chapters, half 
chapters, and sentences of the New Testament, and 
have marked down what I have found, and where I 
have found it : so that any person may see and ex- 
amine for themselves. / have actually discovered the 



118. Repeat the accoant of an examination on this subject. 

119. How mucii of the New Testament can be found in the 

writers of the first three centuries '? 

13 



146 AUTHENTICITY AND GENUINBNLESS 

whole of the Neio Testament from those writings^ except 
seven or eleven verses^ which satisfies me that I could dis- 
cover them also.^^ 

Here, then, we have another unexpected proof of 
the genuineness of the sacred writings, as the numer- 
ous quotations from the New Testament would be 
almost an insuperable obstacle in the way of their 
corruption. 

Fifth. The most effectual method, however, for pre- 
serving the integrity of the writings of the New Tes- 
tament, was by their early translation into various 
ianfifuao'es of the world. 

In the latter part of the first, or early in the second 
century, a translation of them was made into the 
Syriac tongue. So also the Coptic, the Ethiopic, the 
Gothic, the Latin Vulgate, and the Sahidic versions 
were all of an early date. And in these versions the 
Scriptures were scattered into all parts of the world. 
By this means any essential perversion of the sacred 
text became next to impossible. In modern times, 
copies of those old manuscripts have been brought to 
light, disclosing a very remarkable agreement of all 
these versions with each other, and showing how the 

120. What has been a still greater protection of the purity of 

the sacred writings 7 

121. How early were translations made 1 

122. Into what languages were the books of the New Testa- 

ment translated % 

123. Do copies of those translations still exist *? 

124. What do they prove 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 147 

Providence of God has effectually guarded the sacred 
volume from corruption. 

Such are the main arguments on which we rely to 
prove that the sacred writings of the New Testament 
have been handed down uncorrupted to our own day. 
Even Rousseau, a disbeliever, avowed his astonish- 
ment at the strength of the historical testimony, and 
also confessed that the inventor of the narrative ap- 
peared to him more remarkable than the hero. 

All that has been attempted in this chapter has 
been to show the authenticity and genuineness of the 
writings of the New Testament. For about eighteen 
hundred years, they have stood, a beacon on a bold 
and dangerous coast, throwing their strong and steady 
light across the stormy waste of waters. Many a 
tempest-tossed mariner has guided his bark by their 
aid, and been saved. Many a heedless wanderer has 
recklessly plunged into unseen dangers, and sunk to 
rise no more. 

That same Almighty arm which stirreth up the 
winds and the waves, planted this Beacon, to be " a 
light to our feet and a lamp to our path." 

Let the reader be exhorted to study the writings 
of the ^' New Testament." It, and it alone, casts its 

125. Repeat now., from the beginning of the chapter, the 

arguments for the Authenticity and Genuineness of the 
Books of the New Testament. 

126. Is not the argument unanswerable % 

127. To what may the Holy Scriptures be compared ?- 

128. What is God's word said to be 1 

129. How ought it to be treated ] 



143 AUTHENTICITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

bright beams across the Kiver of Death, and reveals 
the distant shores of the future world. In its lighi^ 
through the dark mists of the future. Eternity rises 
up to our view, a great and aw^ful reality. 

Such as this Book was to Apostles, and martyrs, 
and confessors, such it is now ; clear in its direction, 
terrific in its thrcatenings, glorious in its promises ; 
the Christian's safe Gruide Book through a dangerous 
world. 

" Search the Scriptures," said the incarnate God, 
''for they are thejr which testify of me: and in them 
je think ye have eternal life." — St. John v. 39. 

130o What light respecting the future does the Bible reveal 7 
13L What must be the consequence of rejecting it 1 
133. What v/as our Saviour's command'? 
133. Is it still binding on us 1 

134 Is it right to withhold, alter, add to, or take away from 
the word of G od 1 



,i 



CHAPTER VIII. 

INSPIRATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT— MIRA- 
CLES AND PROPHECY. 

The last chapter was devoted to the vSubject of the 
Authenticity and Genuineness of the New Testa- 
ment ; or, in other words, it was shown that the 
Books of the New Testament were written by certain 
men, whose names they bear, and that these writings 
have been handed down uncorrupted to our own 
day. 

This prepares the'way for another important sub- 
ject, upon which we now enter, viz., the Inspiration 
of the New Testament. We shall not here repeat 
the argument of the Probability and Necessity of a 
Revelation, which formed the subject of a preceding 
chapter, but shall advance at once to the proof, that 
the writings of the New Testament are a Revelation 
from God, who, '• at sundry times and in divers man- 
ners," conveyed the knowledge of His will to cer- 
tain of our race, who left behind them the record, 

1. What was the subject of the last chapter 1 

2. What point is now to be examined '\ 

3. What points were previously examined 1 

13* 



150 INSPniATION 

wliioli record lias been transmitted in its integrity to 
our own day. 

I. We believe that the writings of the New Testa- 
ment are a Revelation from God, because they are 
confirmed by the evidence of Miracles. 

Jesus Chrtst Himself wrought great numbers of 
miracles; His disciples also wrought miracles in His 
name ; and these miracles were wrought in evidence 
of the divine origin of our Saviour's mission, instruct 
tions and doctrines. 

Thus, when the disciples of John the Baptist came to 
Jesus Ghrist to know who He was, He sent them back 
with this message : '• G-o your way, and tell John what 
things ye have seen and heard ; how that the blind 
see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf 
hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is 
preached." Luke vii. 22, 

This argument from miracles, if sustained by ade- 
quate proof, is one of the most conclusive and unan- 
swerable. 

What is a miracle ? It is a suspension of, or devi- 
ation from, the ordinary course of nature. And, as 
the laws of nature are appointed and executed by 
God, so the suspension or interruption of those laws 
can only take place by His special permission. 
Whenever, therefore, doctrines or instructions are 

4. What is the first general proof ofFered ] 

5. Who wrought miracles 7 6. Why were they wrought ? 

7. How can you show that they were wrought for this pur- 
pose 1 8. What is a miracle ? 
9. By whose power must every miracle be performed 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 151 

made known, which are confirmed to us by the evi- 
dent suspension or violation of the known laws of the 
natural world, we have every reason to believe that 
those doctrines and instructions have their origin in 
the great Author of all things, that is, in God Him- 
self 

Now, such evidence as this have we to its fullest 
extent to prove the Inspiration of the New Testa- 
ment. 

For, those who were born blind were made to see ; 
those who were afflicted by incurable diseases were, 
by a single word, made whole ; those who had been 
for a considerable time dead came forth from the 
grave ; while, at a single word, storms were hushed, 
the winds ceased, and the raging sea slept. Such 
were some of the special attestations to the divine 
origin of the truths of the New Testament. . 

11. But what evidence have we that such miracles 
were actually wrought ? 

These miracles were not wrought secretly, or only 
in the presence of a few sworn friends, but in the 
sight of thousands, both of friends and foes, who 
could not by any means have been mistaken as to the 
fact of these miracles. They were wrought under a 
great variety of circumstances, where there could 
have been no room for deception or mistake ; they 

10. What muse we say of all doctrines thus confirmed % 

11. Have we this evidence for the New Testament 'J 

12. What miracles were wrought 1 

13. How were these miracles wrought*? 

14. Under what circumstances ? 



152 INSPIRATION 

were borne witness to and attested by competent 
witnesses, wbo possessed every opportunity of know- 
ing that wbich they affirmed ; they were attested and 
proclaimed by persons who had nothing to gain but 
everything to lose by such testimony ; by persons 
who taught openly and continually that all liars and 
false swearers must be for ever excluded from the 
Divine favor ; they were proclaimed by persons who 
suffered every method and degree of torture and suf- 
fering, such as bonds, imprisonment, and cruel death, 
and who never hesitated as to the truth of what they 
witnessed; and, besides all this, they were appealed 
to confidently in the presence of crowds of the bit- 
terest enemies of the Gospel, who could not but have 
known the truth or falsity of the things declared, and 
who lacked neither the ability nor disp®sition to dis- 
prove the things stated, if this were by any means 
possible. The Gospels and Epistles were written 
and sent abroad at an early period in the history of 
Christianity, when detection would have been com- 
paratively easy ; and at a time when the advanced 



15. What was the character of the witnesses'? 

16. What motives alone could influence them 1 

17. What did they teach respecting speaking the truth 1 

18. What did these witnesses sufier ? 

19. Before whom did they appeal 1 

20. Would not these enemies have known the truth of the 

miracles 1 21. Did they deny them ? 

22. At what period were the Gospels and Epistles written 7 

23. What would then have been easy 1 

24. Were they ever denied 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAT^TENT. 153 

state of human learning in the eastern world ren- 
dered it abundantly easy to expose deception had it 
been possible. 

Such Vv^ere the circumstances under which the mira- 
cles, in corroboration of the New Testament, were 
wrought and published ; and jet. under all these cir- 
cumstances, St. Paul publicly pointed the enlight- 
ened Corinthians to more than five hundred witnesses 
of the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, of 
whom he declared the greater part to be still alive. 
1 Cor. XV. 6. And the early Apostles and preachers 
of the Gospel boldly appealed to the whole world to 
bear witness to the truth of Christianity, and yet its 
facts could neither be denied nor disproved. 

Nay, more, the early enemies of Christianity actu- 
ally admitted the fact, that the miracles recorded in 
the New Testament were wrought. Celsus, the great 
enemy of the early Church, admitted the fact that 
Jesus Christ wrought miracles, and attempted to 
account for them upon other grounds than His mirac- 
ulous power, or as a teacher come from Gtod. But 
he does not pretend to deny the fact itself of miracles. 
He concedes the fact that Jesus Christ cured the 
sick, raised the dead, multiplied the loaves, healed the 

25. What was the state of learning then 7 

26. To whom did St. Paul appeal 1 

27. What was the character of the Corinthians 1 

28. What did the enemies of the Gospel confess % 

29. W^hat was the testimony of Celsus 1 

30. How does he account for them 7 

31. What particular miracles did he acknowledge 1 



154 INSPIRATION 

lame and tlie blind. Indeed, almost a complete 
account of the life, history, and actions of Jesus 
Christ, could be gathered from the writings of Cel- 
sus ; who, while he employs every art of ridicule and 
cunning, does not pretend to deny the important facts 
themselves recorded in the New Testament. 

Other heathen testimony can be brought in corrob- 
oration of the miracles recorded in the New Testa- 
ment. 

The early Christian Fathers, for instance, allude 
to the obscuring of the sun at the time of our Saviour's 
crucifixion, as having been described by heathen tes- 
timony. Africanus says, that Thallus, a pagan writer, 
calls this darkness an eclipse of the sun ; when it is 
evident, from the position of the heavenly bodies at 
that time, being at the Jewish Passover, that no such 
eclipse of the sun could have occurred from natural 
causes. Origen says , that " Phlegon, another Pagan 
writer, in the fourteenth Book of his Chronicles, writes 
of the defection of the sun under Tiberius Caesar, in 
which reign it is manifest that our Lord suffered." 
And Eusebius writes in his Chronicles, at the eigh- 
teenth year of Tiberius, " Christ suffered this year." 
In which time we find in other commentaries of the 
heathens these words : '• There was a defection of the 

32. What may be gathered from his writings 1 

33. Is there other similar testimony 1 

34. What did Thallus say ^ 

35. What was Phlegon's testimony 7 

36. Give the statement of Eusebius. 



OF TIIE NEW TESTAMENT. 155 

sun, Bithjnia was shaken with an earthquakej and 
many houses fell down in the city of Nice.'' 

Here, then, we find abundant corroboration of the 
fact of those miracles which took place at the cruci- 
fixion of Jesus Christ, and for which facts no natural 
causes could have been in existence. 

This, then, is our first general argument for the 
inspiration of the Scriptures of the New Testament — 
the argument of miracles — miracles wrought in great 
numbers, and before all the world ; miracles testified 
to by a great number of competent witnesses, who 
could have had no worldly motive for deception, and 
who sealed that testimony with their blood ; miracles 
acknowledged again and again to have been wrought, 
by the confessions of the bitterest enemies and revilers 
of the cross of Christ. 

TABLE OF THE MIRACLES OF JESUS CHRIST, 

ARRANGED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, 

Water turned to wine, St. John ii. 1-11 „ 

Nobleman's son cured, St. John iv. 46-64.. 

Miraculous draught of fishes, St, Luke v, 1-11,. 

Demoniac cured,. St. Mark i. 22-28., 

Peter's wife's mother healed, St. Mark i. 30, 3L 

A leper healed, St. Mark i. 40-45. 

Centurion's servant healed, St. Matt. viii. 5-13, 

The widow's son raised, St. Luke vii. 11-17- 

The tempest calmed, St. Matt. viii. 23-27. 

The demoniacs of Gadara cured, St. Matt. viii. 28-34. 

A man sick of the palsy cured, St. Matt, ix, 1-8. 

37. Repeat the fijrst argument. 

38. How many and what miracles did Jeslts Christ perform 1 



156 INSPIRATION 

Jairus' daughter restored, St. Matt. ix. 18-26. 

Diseased woman cured, St. Luke viii. 43-48. 

Two men blind restored to sight, St. Matt. ix. 27-31. 

Dumb spirit cast out, St. Matt. ix. 32, 33. 

inlirm man at Bethesda cured, St. John v. 1-9. 

Man with a withered hand cured, St. Matt. xii. 10-13. 

Demoniac cured, St. Matt. xii. 22, 23. 

Five thousand miraculously fed, St. Matt. xiv. 15-2L 

Daughter of the woman of Canaan 

healed, St. Matt. xv. 22-28. 

A man dumb and deaf healed, St. Mark vii. 31-37. 

Four thousand miraculously fed, St. Matt. xv. 32-39. 

A blind man receives sight, St. Mark xiii. 22-26. 

A boy possessed of a devil cured, St. Matt. xvii. 14-21. 

A man born blind restored to sight,. ... St. John ix. 
A woman with an infirmity eighteen 

years healed, St. Luke xiii. 11-17. 

One sick with dropsy cured, St. Luke xiv. 1-6. 

Ten lepers cleansed, St. Luke xvii. 11-19. 

Lazarus raised from the dead, St. John xi. 

Two blind men restored to sight, St. Matt. xx. 30-34. 

The fig-tree cursed, St. Matt. xxi. 18-22. 

Malchus' ear healed, St. Luke xxii. 50, 51. 

Miraculous draught of fishes, St. Jolm xxi. 1-14. 

III. Our next general argument for the inspiration 
of the New Testament, is drawn from the prophecies 
therein contained. What prophecy is, and the nature 
and importance of the argument, have been considered 
in a previous chapter. 

First. x\ll those historical facts recorded in the 
New Testament which are the fulfilment of prophe- 
cies in the Old Testament, bear upon their face pre^ 

39. What is the next general argument ? 

40. What presumptive argument is slated 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 157 

sumptive proof of having been indited by the Spirit 
of GrOD. For, as all are parts of one comprehensive 
whole, so, when we see the prophecies of Isaiah, Dan- 
iel, Malachi, and others, respecting our Saviour, ex- 
actly fulfilled in the recorded history of the " Pour 
Gospels of the New Testament," we cannot resist the 
impression, that both the recorded prophecy and the 
recorded fulfilment^ were indited by the Spirit of all 
Truth. 

Second. The argument from prophecy drawn from 
the New Testament, is conclusive, as we examine the 
language of that prophecy and its fulfilment. In those 
pages, many events then future were clearly predicted. 
Some of these prophecies have been fulfilled — some 
of them are now fulfilling — of some the fulfilment is 
yet future. 

Thus, Jesus Christ foretold with great particularity 
the circumstances of His own death ; that one of His 
own disciples should betray Him ; that He should fall 
into the hands of the chief-priests and scribes ; that 
He should be condemned, mocked, scourged, and cru- 
cified. (St. Mat. xvi. 21 ; xx. 18, 19 ; xxvi. 23-31. St. 
Mark x. 33, 34.) 

He foretold, also, His own resurrection — that He 
should rise from the dead, and that on the third day, 
(St. Matt xvi. 21 ; xx. 19 ; xxvi. 32, St. Mark x. 
34. St, Matt, xxviii.) 

41. What events were predicted ? 

42. What did our Saviour predict concerning Himself? 

43. Where are they recorded 1 

14 



158 INSPIRATION 

He foretold the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 
(St. Luke xxiv. 49, and St. Mark xvi. 17 and 18), 
fulfilled in Acts ii. 

He foretold to His disciples that they should suffer 
great persecutions, should be hated, be brought before 
kings and rulers for His name's sake, and some of 
them be put to death ; and that yet the Gospel should 
be preached in all parts of the Eoman world. (St. 
Luke xxi. 12, 14. St. Matt. xxiv. 9-14.) 

All these prophecies were literally fulfilled. 

He predicted with great particularity the destruction 
of the city of Jerusalem, over which, as He pronounced 
its awful doom, the tears of pity which flowed down 
His cheeks, bore witness as well to the intensity of 
His love as to the depths of His knowledge. He de- 
clared that Jerusalem should be encompassed with 
armies ; should be destroyed and trodden down of the 
Gentiles ; that the temple should be so thoroughly 
demolished, that not one stone should be left on 
another ; that there should be such tribulation as had 
not been from the beginning of time, and should not 
be again ; and that previous to this, there should be 
famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes ; that there 
should arise false Christs and false prophets ; that 
there should be wars and commotions ; that there 

44. What was His prophecy -respecting the Holy Spirit 1 

45. What concerning His disciples'? 

46. Where are these recorded 1 

47. Were all these prophecies fulfilled 1 

48. What did He predict respecting Jerusalem 1 

49. Repeat these prophecies. 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 159 

sHould be fearful sights and signs seen in the heav- 
ens, and that Jerusalem should be trodden down of 
the GentileSj until the times of the Gentiles be ful- 
filled. (See St. Luke xix. 43, 44, and xxi. 6-24. 
Also St. Matt. xxiv. 21.) 

Every reader of Jewish history knows how the 
melancholy doom which befell Jerusalem filled out 
all the dark outlines of that picture, which the blessed 
Saviour had previously described. The Jewish his- 
torian, Josephus, could not have more clearly given 
a statement which should meet the very predictions 
of Jesus Christ, than in his account of the destruc- 
tion of Jerusalem by the Roman army. He tells us 
of the wars and commotions, the famines and pesti- 
lences which preceded the destruction of the city., 
He describes the supernatural premonitions and warn- 
ings which appeared in the heavens ; that a sword was 
seen to hang over the city; that armies appeared in 
the heavens, marshalled in battle array, and chariots 
also in the clouds ; that the great gate of the temple, 
which the force of twenty men could scarcely shut, 
flew open of its own accord ; that in the night, a 
great light shone upon the temple, and upon the altar, 
as if it had been noonday ; while the priests in the 
temple, at midnight, heard a great noise as of a mul- 
titude moving from the place, and a voice which seemed 

50. Where are they recorded '? 

51. How were these prophecies fulfilled 1 

52. What historian describes these events 1 

53. Repeat his testimony. 



160 INSPIRATION 

to say. '^ Let us go hence." — Wars of the Jews, book 
vi.j ch. 5. 

Our Saviour uttered another prophecy : " Jerusa- 
lem shall be trodden down of the Grentiles until the 
times of the Gentiles be fulfilled " (St. Luke xxi. 24). 
At the time this prophecy was uttered, nothing was 
more improbable than the destruction and perpetual 
desolation of the Holy City. The Romans and the 
Jews were at peace. The temple was of such beauty 
and grandeur that Titus determined to save it. 
{Jewish Wars, hook vi., ch. 2.) And yet, by a strange 
concurrence of circumstances, not one stone of the 
temple was left upon another, and Jerusalem has 
been, and still is, fulfilling the prediction that it 
should be trodden down of the Gentiles until the 
times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 

Forty-seven years after the destruction of the city, 
Hadrian the Roman emperor attempted to rebuild it, 
gave to it a new name, ^lia, founded a colony in it, 
and dedicated a temple to Jupiter Capitolinus in the 
place of a temple to Jehovah. Such profanation 
pushed the Jews to madness. They once more took 
the city and burnt it. Hadrian rebuilt the city, 

54. Where are his statements found 1 

55. What other prophecy did He utter respecting Jerusalem % 

56. Was this then improbable — and why 1 

57. Did Titus destroy the temple willingly'? \ 

58. Who attempted to rebuild the city — and when ? 

59. What name did he give to it '? 60. What did he dedicate ^ 

61. What was the effect on the Jews 1 

62. What did they do 1 63. Who then rebuilt the city ^ 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. , 161 

ordered an infamous statue to be placed over tlie gate 
towards Bethlehenij and forbad the Jews, under pen- 
alty of death, to enter the city, or even to look upon 
it from a distance. The Emperor Constantino re- 
stored the name Jerusalem to the city, and greatly 
improved it ; but cruelly persecuted the Jews, and 
dispersed them over all the empire as fugitives and 
slaves. The Emperor Julian the apostate favored 
the Jews, and attempted to put the lie upon prophecy 
by rebuilding the temple ; but was miraculously com- 
pelled to desist from the undertaking. Succeeding 
emperors renewed the severities against the Jews, and 
obliged them to give money to be allowed to go and 
look upon and weep over the ruins of their city and 
temple. Afterwards it passed successively into the 
hands of the Persians, the Saracens, and Turks, when 
it fell for a time into the power of the Crusaders ; 
after which it was given back to the Turks, who have 
retained possession of it down to this day. For 
eighteen hundred years the eagles of idolatrous Rome, 
the banners of the Crusaders, and the crescent of 
Mahomet, have been displayed among the ruins of 
that holy place, and still Jerusalem stands, at this 
moment, a lonely, desolate city, like a widow in mourn- 
ing and weeping, a most striking and continual proof 

64. How did he treat the Jews 1 

65. Who attempted to rebuild the temple — and why % 

66. What was his character *? 

67. How were the Jews treated after this 1 

68. Into whose hands did the city pass 1 

69. What is the condition of the city now 1 

14* 



162 INSPIRATION 

of the spirit of truth in which the Holy One spake 
when He said, " Jerusalem shall be trodden down of 
the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be ful- 
filled." 

There was still another prophecy uttered by our 
Saviour, brief in its language, but weighty in its pur- 
port, and in its fulfilment arresting the attention of 
the whole world of mankind. It is this : " And they 
(the Jews) shall fall by the edge of the sword, and 
shall he led away captive into all nations''^ (St. Luke 
xxi. 24). 

There is no one fact in the history of the world 
more remarkable, or unaccountable, than that of the 
history of the Jewish people for the last eighteen 
hundred years. Other people and nations have had 
their rise, progress, decline, and utter extinction, but 
not so with the Jews. They are, indeed, a perpetual 
miracle. Scattered every where, yet every where a 
distinct people ; persecuted and oppressed for more 
than a thousand years, and still they remain unde- 
stroyed. As a Jewish writer says, '• What a marvel- 
lous thing is it, that after so many wars, battles, and 
sieges ; after so many fires, famines, and pestilences ; 
after so many rebellions, massacres, and persecutions ; 
after "^o many years of captivity, slavery, and misery ; 

70. What does all this prove % 

71. What was another prophecy 1 

72. Where is it contained *? 

73. What has there been peculiar in the history of the Jews 7 

74. How may they be regarded 1 

75. Repeat the words of the Jewish writer. 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 163 

they are not destroyed utterly, and though scattered 
among all people, yet subsist as a distinct people by 
themselves. Where is there any thing comparable to 
this to be found in all the histories and in all the 
nations under the sun ?" 

Such is the prophecy concerning them, and its ful- 
filment. 

We have now examined some of the prophecies of 
the New Testament, clearly uttered, and unquestion- 
ably fulfilled ; and proving most abundantly the in- 
spiration of that blessed volume in which they are 
contained. 

It falls not within our present purpose to speak at 
length of the prophecies of the New Testament which 
as yet are unfulfilled — prophecies relating to Jerusa 
lem and to the Jews ; when " the times of the Gentiles 
shall be fulfilled ;" when " the natural branches shall 
be graffed into their own olive-tree ;" when " all Israel 
shall be saved ;" when ^' the Deliverer shall turn 
away ungodliness from Jacob " (Romans xi. 24-26). 
There are also prophecies yet unfulfilled concerning 
the ultimate triumph of the Church of Christ, and 
the blessed condition of mankind; prophecies con- 
cerning the final day of judgment, and the awful man- 
ner in which that day will be ushered in ; prophecies 
also in the Eevelation of St. John, dark and doubtful 
in their interpretation, but fearful in their import ; 



76. What prophecies are yet unfulfilled ? 

77. What respecting the Jews 1 

78. What concerning the Church of Christ 1 



164 INSPIRATION 

and which will, beyond question, one day receive their 
literal and full accomplishment. 

IV. Such, in brief, is the argument from miracles 
and prophecy for the inspiration of the Holy Scrip- 
tures of the New Testament. It is an argument 
which cannot be appreciated without careful consid- 
eration, and which will, we trust, strengthen the be- 
lief, and confirm the faith of all who will duly ponder 
it. 

Multitudes of the noblest sons of earth have scruti- 
nized these evidences with unsparing severity, and 
have yielded to them the tribute of their understand- 
ings and the homage of their hearts. Be it ours to 
believe these testimonies of G-od, by which He con- 
firms unto us His truth. And, though babbling 
ignorance may scoff, and blind depravity may mock 
at the truths of the Most High (and in modern times 
depravity is the fruitful source of infidelity), we need 
not hesitate to acknowledge the justice of such enno- 
bling claims upon our faith and practice. 

There will be moments in every one of our lives 
when we shall need the evidence which has just been 
laid before us. We shall look within ourselves, and 
find these truths suited to our wants. We shall hear 



79. What respecting the condition of the world % 

80. What and where are other prophecies 1 

81. What is necessary to appreciate these arguments 1 

82. How should we regard them 1 

83. What is the origin of modern infidelity 1 

84. Is it not duty to believe on sufficient evidence 1 

85. When shall we need such evidence 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 165 

the echo coming back from our own hearts in their 
yearning after the clearer light of God's holy word, 
and shall listen with the deepest satisfaction to the 
music from the lyre within, as the Master's hand 
sweeps across its golden strings. Our reason, our 
judgment, our conscience, our instinct, will tell us at 
such a moment, that these are truths precisely suited 
to our wants. 

It was to meet such wants that God gave the word, 
and confirmed it by signs, and wonders, and gifts of 
miracles and prophecy. 

Conclusion. — If the New Testament is, as we have 
seen, the inspired word of God, with what reverence 
and attention ought we to ponder its disclosures of 
duty and of truth. It tells us of God, and of our- 
selves ; of our duties, our dangers, and our destiny. 
It tells us how that He who came once the Babe of 
Bethlehem, in great humility, to be rejected, insulted, 
reviled, unjustly condemned, and crucified ; who rose 
again and ascended to heaven, will come again, in 
power and great glory, and all the holy angels with 
Him, and then He will reward every man according 
to his works. 

This Book has its mysteries and wonders, such as 
might be anticipated, in a gift from the Incomprehen- 



86. To what is Revelation suited 1 

87. Why did God give if? 

88. How ought we to regard the Bible 7 

89. Are there mysteries in it ? 



166 INSPIRATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

sible and Holy One. But its practical duties and 
precepts are so plain and simple, that a wayfaring 
man, though a fool, need not err therein. 

90. How are its practical duties revealed 1 

91. What does Revelation make known 1 

92. What are some of its most important precepts 1 



CHAPTER IX. 

INTERNAL EVIDENCE OP THE INSPIRATION AND 
TRUTHFULNESS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

In the last chapter we examined the subject of the 
external argumentj from miracles and prophecy, that 
the New Testament is an inspired book. 

We propose, in the present chapter, to open the 
Book itself, to see what it contains, and attend to the 
internal evidence that the Book is, what it professes 
to be, a Revelation from G-od. 

This is a legitimate subject of inquiry, and the 
argument deduced from it one of great strength. 

This method of argument is susceptible of great 
abuse. The subjecting of revealed truth to the tri- 
bunal of human judgment, may lead, and has led, to 
great irreverence for sacred things. It may end, at 
last, in profane trifling with the mysterious things of 
God. But then, this is only an abuse of an argument 
which is in itself one of great importance. 

1. What was the subject of the last chapter ? 

2. What is the subject of the present chapter 1 

3. To what abuse is this method of argument liable 1 



168 INSPIRATION AND TRUTHFULNESS 

Nothing is more obvious, than that the testimony 
of witnesses in a court of justice derives great value 
from the perfect harmony of such testimony with 
itself, as well as from the manner in which that testi- 
mony is rendered. 

So also, it may be reasonably supposed— none we 
presume would call it in question — that the truths of 
the New Testament will be found consistent with all 
that we know of the wisdom, love, and truth of God ; 
and also that the manner in which those truths are 
made known to us, shall bear, at least, the ordinary 
tests of truthful evidence. 

This argument, from the internal evidence of Chris- 
tianity, while it is one of the most conclusive, at the 
same time, requires examination. It must be care- 
fully weighed and pondered ; and the more careful 
the examination, the more thoroughly will the mind 
be impressed with its value. 

Within our present limits, we can do little more 
than allude to the argument. . We can hardly hope 
to present it in its full force. 

First. The moral duties and rules of life given by our 
Saviour in the New Testament^ are, in themselves^ evi- 
yhatically distinguished from the duties and rules taught 
hy worldly moralists. 

Our Saviour, in giving direction for human con- 
duct, departs entirely from the beaten track of earthly 

4. How is this argument illustrated 1 

5. What might we suppose concerning the truths of Revela- 

lation 1 6. How must this argument be examined % 
7. What is the first general argument '? 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 169 

teachers. He either makes little of, or sternly rebukes 
those dispositions which, in the eye of the world, are 
most commonly approved and cultivated, and which 
are thought to make great men and heroes ; while, on 
the other hand. He enforces, as of chief importance, 
another and opposite class of duties, dispositions, and 
virtues, and which the world commonly and practically 
despises. He enforces, for example, meekness under 
insult, patience under suffering, forbearance under 
provocation, humility under prosperity, forgiveness of 
injuries, and love even toward enemies. His lan- 
guage is, '' Resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite 
thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 
and if any man will sue thee at the law, and take 
away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also ; and who- 
soever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him 
twain. Love your enemies ; bless them that curse 
you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for 
them that despitefully use you and persecute you," 
St. Matt, V. 38-44. 

He who has seen and known any thing of the spirit 
of the world, knows full well, that in all the rules of 
worldly morality, we find no such golden maxims for 
the guidance of human conduct. '' Blame me not," 
said an infidel to an infidel friend, as he placed the 

8. What are those dispositions which our Saviour rebukes 1 

9. How are they generally regarded 1 

10. What dispositions does he enjoin *? 

11. What is the language of our Saviour 1 

12. Is this the spirit of the world 1 

13. What was the confession of an infidel 1 

15 



170 INSPIRATION AND TRUTHFULNESS 

New Testament in the hands of an only daughter, 
" until you can find a book teaching purer morality 
than this." 

Second. Our Saviour's instructions, as recorded in 
the New Testament, are marked by another peculiarity 
— by His method of reforming the human character. 

Instead of banishing transgression from the world 
by external restraints, as worldly moralists have 
attempted, He proposes a new remedy. His language 
is, " Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, 
adulteries, fornications, &c. — these are the things 
which defile a man.^' St. Matt. xv. 19. 

He would gain external purity of conduct by se- 
curing internal purity of the heart. He lays the axe 
at the root of the tree. He cleanses the streams by 
purifying the fountain-head. He does more than this. 
He teaches, that beyond the outward form and letter 
of the Law, there is a spirit and intent of the Law, 
which may be summed up in one word — Love ; 
supreme love to God, and a benevolent love to man, 
in which are contained all the Law and the Prophets. 
And in thus directing attention to the principle which 
comprises the whole Law, and in His teaching the 
necessity of purity of the afiections, and of control 
over the thoughts and intents of the mind, we per- 

14. What is the second general argument ? 

15. How does He reform the human character ^ 

16. What is His language 1 

17. Does not this method seem to us the only one adequate % 

18. In what does He place the substance of the law 7 

19. Is this the spirit of the world 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 171 

ceive one of the most marked peculiarities of the in- 
structions of our blessed Saviour. 

Third. Our Saviour's instructions are peculiar for 
another reason — in His method of enforcing moral 
duties. 

He avoided the use of those motives by which 
worldly teachers have usually commended their in- 
structions. Such persons have always made great use 
of such motives as these : fame, human applause, the 
approbation of the people. A great heathen moralist 
once addressed his disciples, " Act as if the eyes of 
all Eome were fastened upon you." And the great 
men of the world often appeal to their country, to the 
world, and to posterity, as the tribunal before which 
they wish to be tried. 

Not so with our Saviour. He places human obli- 
gation upon an entirely different basis. He does not 
teach that the voice of the people is the voice of Gtod ; 
but commands, " when thou doest alms, let not thy 
left hand know what thy right hand doeth" — " when 
thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou 
h^lfet shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in 
secret." St. Matt. vi. 3 and 6. 

Not that Jesus Christ would have His disciples 
careless of their reputation, or needlessly to oppose 
public sentiment ; but He places the claims of duty 
on higher and holier ground than the changing opin- 

20. What is the third general argument 1 

31. How are worldly duties usually enforced ? 

22. How does our Saviour enforce His instructions 1 

23, What was His language 1 



172 INSPIRATION AND TRUTHFULNESS 

ions of an inconstant world ; upon tlae inward con- 
sciousness of rectitude, and the approbation of God, 
the Supreme Judge of all. 

Fourth. Our Saviour's instructions, as recorded in 
the New Testament, are remarkable for another reason. 

The teachers of false religions, both in ancient and 
modern times, have always sought to commend their 
systems by appealing to the love of the marvellous ; 
by seeking to gratify curiosity, in revealing invisible 
and eternal things ; and have also often sought to 
awaken intense religious emotion, by impassioned, 
rapturous ejaculations. The Koran of Mahomet, and 
the pretended revelations of modern times, are full 
of such minute fictitious disclosures of a future world, 
serving no other possible end than to gratify a morbid 
craving after the marvellous in religion, and thus 
awaken a false, misguided zeal. 

Our Saviour, however, has left recorded in the New 
Testament very little — nothing, indeed, for the mere 
gratification of a vain curiosity. His rules for prac- 
tice are exceedingly plain and clear, and He tells us 
enough of the bliss and glory of the future worlo^ to 
awaken an earnest anticipation after it — but this is all. 

Neither in His own conduct and example did He 

24. What is the fourth general argument '? 

25. In what do erroneous systems of religion abound 1 

26. How is it with the Koran '? 

27. How is it with modern impostors '? 

28. Is any benefit derived by such disclosures % 

29. Did our Saviour make them 1 

30. How is it with His rules for practice 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 173 

ever appeal to the passions of His followers. In His 
devotions. He was always calm, sober, and collected. 
Even in the most trying moments of His life, on the 
cross, where blind enthusiasm would have poured 
itself out in fervent ejaculations, we behold Him sim- 
ply using two expressions from the Jewish Liturgy. 
In this grand, yet placid simplicity of his character, 
we seem to have before us " the High and lofty One 
who inhabiteth Eternity." 

Fifth. In the account of our Saviour's character, as 
drawn in the New Testament, we see another pecu- 
liarity. 

He stood entirely aloof from the prejudices of the 
age, and the follies of the people among whom He 
lived. 

The Jewish religion, at the time of our Saviour's 
birth, had become strongly technical, outward, and 
ceremonial. They had made void the Law, through 
their traditions ; and even the most learned of the 
Jews had become habituated to agitating curious 
questions of casuistry, but of no great practical mo- 
ment, as, "which is the greatest of the command- 
ments ?" &c. 

As we open the Book of our Saviour's instructions, 

31. Would men be happier with the knowledge of the future 1 

32. What was the character of our Saviour's devotions 

33. Give an example. 

34. Was He not an example in this respect 1 

35. How are the devotions of the Church conducted in this 

respect 7 36. What is the fifth general argument 1 
37. How was the Jewish religion characterized 1 
15* 



174 INSPIRATION AND TRUTHFULN-ESS 

we discover nothing of all this. His all-seeing eye 
penetrated infinitely beyond the mists which hang 
around the most learned doctors of the law. As they 
listened to Him, they felt and confessed that " He 
spake as never man spake," and that " His word was 
with power." They saw that His instructions were 
unmixed with the follies and conceits of the age. 
Why was this ? '' How knoweth this man letters, 
having never learned?" He had never, as the disci- 
ple of philosophers, sat beneath the academic shades. 
His father was a carpenter, with whom He spent the 
earlier period of His life, in a remote and obscure 
province of Palestine. And yet, from such depths of 
obscurity, He came forth, having in Himself " all the 
treasures of wisdom and knowledge." 

His instructions are inexplicable, except upon the 
supposition that they are divine. 

Sixth. The personal character of Christ was as re- 
markable as His instructions. 

For five hundred years after His birth, even among 
the bitterest revilers of Christianity, not a charge was 
ever made upon His character. In this respect es- 



38. Is this true of our Saviour's instructions 1 

39. Did He awaken attention on this account 1 

40. Give an illustration. 

41. Did He learn this wisdom in the schools ? 
43. How was His early life spent 1 

43. What was the source of this transcendent wisdom ? 

44. Is there any other answer to be given 1 
■ 45. What is the sixth general argument 1 

46. How was His character esteemed 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 175 

pecially at that day. He was greatly distinguished. 
The most eminent teachers of human philosophy were 
far from irreproachable. Zeno and Diogenes were 
guilty of the foulest impurities. The great Solon 
allowed enormous crimes. Lycurgus tolerated theft. 
Plato and the two Catos are stained with loathsome 
vices ; and all those great masters of antiquity who 
sing of virtue, cannot bear the scrutiny into their own 
personal history. Mahomet made his heaven to con- 
sist in scenes of shameful indulgence and sensuality, 
wholly unlike that pure and holy heaven of truth and 
love which Jesus promised to His disciples. 

Examine the personal history of Jesus Christ, as 
drawn out in the pages of the Four Grospels. 

What habitual devotion— what deep humility — 
what benignity and gentleness — what sympathy for 
the afflicted — what lenity and mildness — what moral 
courage and holy boldness — what freedom from guile 
— what forgiveness of injuries — what self-possession 
in danger — what unwearied zeal in doing good — what 
entire submission of His will to the will of Gtod — in 
short, what an assemblage of the most ennobling vir- 
tues are blended together to form the sum of His 
unequalled character ! 

And thus do we see that the instructions of Christ, 
and the personal history of Christ, are every way 

47. What was the personal character of the philosophers 1 

48. Name examples. 

49. What rewards did Mahomet promise 1 

50. Give an analysis of our Saviour's character. 

5L Which were some of the brightest traits in His character 1 



176 INSPIRATION AND TRUTHFULNESS 

worthy of that divine original which belongs to the 
Sacred Scriptures in which they are recorded. 

Seventh. We turn next, from the doctrines and 
character of Jesus Christ, to the writers of the New 
Testament. And we observe that there is an air of 
truthfulness every where pervading their pages. 
They write like men thoroughly- impressed with the 
truth of what they record. It is not possible that 
they could have written with a combined attempt to 
palm off their story upon the world. For while there 
is a general harmony pervading the whole, there is at 
the same time an individuality belonging to each, so 
strongly marked at times as to refute the charge of 
combination of plan. In describing the same event, 
for example, they detail, some one, and some another 
circumstance connected with it, some giving more, and 
some less of detail ; never differing so far as to disa- 
gree with or contradict each other, but yet differing 
far enough to shut out the possibility of there having 
been an attempt to deceive. 

They also write like honest men, telling the truth 
and the whole truth, rather than as men who sit down 
" to make out a case." They relate with undisguised 
frankness, the failings and faults of the disciples, the 
Saviour's reproofs, the denial of Christ by Peter, and 
the desertion of Him by all, without any attempt at 
palliation or excuse. 

52. Give the next general argument. 

53. What characteristic pervades their pages 1 

54. Was there combination in plan ? 55. Why not ? 
56« How do they describe the faults of the disciples '? 



OF TIIE NEW TESTAMENT. 177 

They also write the account of the opposition of 
enemies, of the unjust trial of Christ, of the false 
witnesses, the mockery, the reviling, the cruel spear, 
and crown of thorns ; but there is no language of ex- 
aggeration, none of abuse or reproach ; they simply 
relate facts, just as they occurred, leaving the reader 
to make his own inferences and draw his own conclu- 
sions. As an able writer says, " No remarks are 
thrown in to obviate objections ; nothing of that cau- 
tion which never fails to distinguish the testimony of 
those who are conscious of imposture ; — no endeavor 
to reconcile the reader's mind with what may be ex- 
traordinary in the narrative." — Dr. Beattie, 

Such is the truthful manner in which the writers 
of the New Testament appear before us on the sacred 
page. 

Eighth. There is still another test, by which the 
writers of the New Testament may be tried. 

It is their historical accuracy^ and their historical 
agreement with each other ^ and with themselves. 

This is an important argument. 

The first of these points has been elaborated by a 
very distinguished scholar (Dr. Lardner). The latter 
point has been the subject of one of the most unan- 

57. How do they mention the enemies of Christ 1 

58. Do they ever indulge in abuse '? 

59. Do they ever anticipate objections 1 

60. Relate the words of Dr. Beattie. 

61. Is there not great force in this argument 1 

62. What is the eighth general argument 1 

63. Who has examined the first point 7 



178 -INSPIRATION AND TRUTHFULNESS 

swerable demonstrations of the truth of these sacred 
writings on the part of an able writer. The latter 
writer (Dr. Paley) goes into an examination of what 
he terms the '^ undesigned coincidences " of the writers 
of the New Testament. He takes up, for example, 
the history of the Apostles as written in the Book of 
the Acts, by St. Luke ; and then the thirteen Epis- 
tles of St. Paul, written at different places, at different 
times, on different subjects, and to different persons ; 
and he exhibits the mutual, yet undesigned coinci- 
dences of facts, as thus stated by these different wri- 
ters. This is a severe test. It is one which nothing 
can bear but the most careful record of truth. It is 
that species of examination which scarcely ever fails 
to embarrass and confuse the false witness in a court 
of justice. And yet the result, in this case, shows 
beyond all question, the entire accuracy and truthful 
agreement of the sacred narratives. 

The former writer subjects the historical portions 
of the New Testament to another test. The sacred 
writers of the New Testament allude to facts pertain- 
ing to a great number of provinces, cities, individuals^ 
and institutions throughout the Roman empire. 

This author examines these allusions one by one, 
and he shows that the sacred writers must have been 

64. Who has examined the second point 1 

65. What do you mean by undesigned coincidences % 
Q^. How is this an argument 1 

67. What portions of the New Testament are selected in 

proof? 68. Is not this a valuable argument 1 
69, What is the next particular 1 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 179 

entirely familiar with the state and condition of soci- 
ety at the time when they pretend to have written ; 
and that in these statements of facts, they are abun- 
dantly corroborated from the pages of profane history, 
by cotemporaneous writers of the same age. 

Thus, we read in the New Testament that " Arche- 
laus did reign in Judea in the room of his father 
Herod " — that in the fifteenth year of the reign of 
Tiberius Csesar, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and 
his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea, and of the 
region of Trachonitis " — ^that " Herod married Hero- 
dias, his brother Philip's wife " — that " Herod went 
down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode," and 
there died a loathsome death ; — that " Felix (a Ro- 
man) came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jew- 
ess " — that " G-allio was deputy of Achaia " — that the 
Pharisees held to many doctrines which the Sadducees 
denied, as the doctrine of the resurrection, and of the 
existence of angels and spirits — that Caiaphas, at a 
particular period, was high priest — that the title of 
Jesus was, according to custom, put on the cross — 
that He was scourged, and bore His own cross— that 
Paul received forty stripes save one, while yet it was 
unlawful to scourge a man who was a Roman — that 
Paul found an altar dedicated '^ to the unknown God," 
&c. These are only specimens of allusions to historic 
facts, or to customs spoken of as then existing. Now, 



70. What historical incidents occur in the New Testament 1 

71. Are they numerous and particular 1 

72. Name some of them. 



180 INSPIRATION AND TRUTHFULNESS 

it has been shown, beyond question, that these allu- 
sions are abundantly sustained by collateral testimony 
of profane authors, and that the sacred writers could 
not have been ignorant or mistaken respecting the 
state of things in the world at the time when they 
wrote ; and hence that it is not possible that the Nev/ 
Testament could have been written ages after, or at 
any other time than that when it dates. Historic 
fidelity is stamped upon its every page. 

Ninth. Our next and final argument in favor of the 
divine origin of Christianity and of the inspiration 
of the New Testament, is drawn from the acknow- 
ledged success of Christianity. Not, however, from 
the simjple fact that the Gospel of Jesus Christ tri- 
umphed, for Mahometanism and other false religions 
can plead such an argument ; but from the fact that 
such causes brought about such results ; that such means 
were able to secure such ends. 

There is no mystery in the spread of Mahometan- 
ism. It panders to the vilest passions of human 
nature. It gained its conquests by fire and the sword. 
These were its weapons, these its arguments, and it 
was powerless till it made use of them. 

Not so with Christianity. A despised Nazarene 

73. How have these allusions been verified 7 

74. Could the New Testament have been written long after 

the time when it dates % 75. Why % 
76. What is the ninth general argument % 
11. Is mere success of any system an argument in its favor % 
. 78. How did Mahometanism prevail 1 
79. Does this prove that system divine % 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 181 

was the leading spirit of the Gospel. A few unlet- 
tered fishermen were His co-laborers. His doctrines 
were a stumbling-block to the self-righteous Jew, and 
foolishness to the philosophical Greek. Persecution 
and death were the earthly rewards promised to His 
disciples — self-denial the rule of life enjoined. " If 
they have hated me, they will also hate you ; if they 
have persecuted me, they will persecute you also." 
And the events answered to the prediction. The 
whole power of the Roman government, and the learn- 
ing of a golden age, were arrayed against the infant 
Church. And yet, having no sword but the sword 
of the Spirit, this little, feeble, unlettered band of 
despised men, went forth, lifting up their voices in 
the presence of kings and mighty men, preaching the 
truth as it is in Jesus, and yet *' mightily grew the 
word of the Lord, and prevailed " — not only without 
the aid of worldly weapons, but in absolute defiance 
of them, and in unyielding opposition to them, the 
inherent life of the Gospel proclaimed its own origin, 
and that the arm of the Omnipotent God was uplifted 
in its behalf 

Within thirty years after the death of our Saviour, 
the Gospel had spread into almost all parts of the 

80. How does Christianity differ in these respects 1 

81. What weapons were used? 

82. What was the character of the leaders 1 

83. What earthly reward was promised to them 1 

84. What did they expect on earth 1 

85. What power opposed them ? 86. What was the result 1 
87. What was the success of the Gospel jn thirty years "l 

16 



182 INSPIRATION AND TRUtHTULNESS 

Roman world, and even into Parthia and Persia. 
About eighty years after the ascension, the younger 
Pliny complains, not only that the Gospel had spread 
through the cities, but the lesser towns and the open 
country ; while the pagan temples were almost aban- 
doned, the solemnities deserted, and the victims left 
unsold. Twenty years after, Justin Martyr declares, 
that there was no nation, of either Greeks or Barba- 
rians, who did not offer prayers and thanksgivings to 
the Father and Maker of all, in the Name of Jesus 
the Crucified. 

And now the question comes back upon us, if the 
Gospel was the work of man, a mere human institu- 
tion, why was it that a cause which offered no human 
inducements or motives ; a cause which set itself in 
open opposition to the tastes, the customs, the vices, 
the prejudices, and even the wisdom of the world ; a 
cause which was maintained by men unskilled in 
learning and the arts of rhetoric; by men opposed, 
harassed, persecuted even unto death ; that such a 
cause, notwithstanding all this, triumphed over the 
learniag and eloquence of that golden age, and gained 
a victory over the mistress of the world ? 

The truth was, that this cause was upheld and car- 
ried forward by that Omnipotent Arm which made 
the weakness and ignorance of His disciples triumph- 
ant over the wisdom and power of the world. This 

88. Give the testimony of Pliny. 

89. What does Justin Martyr say 1 

90. State now the argument. 

91. What power must have carried on the GospeH 



OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 183 

is the solution of the mystery, and besides this there 
is no other. 

In the success of the Gospel, therefore, we have an 
argument for its divine origin. 

Conclusion. — In our past labors we have examined 
the authenticity and genuineness of the Books of the 
New Testament. We have seen that the miracles 
and prophecies therein contained prove its divine 
inspiration. 

We have now briefly examined the pages of the 
volume itself, and have seen how unlike are its doc- 
trines and precepts to the spirit of the world. We 
have borne witness to the blameless and holy life of 
our great Exemplar, and have noticed how the truths 
contained in the New Testament are consistent with 
each other, and are illustrated and confirmed by all 
cotemporary history. We have witnessed also the 
weakness of the instruments employed in propagating 
the Gospel, the power of the opposition, and have 
seen how it gathered strength amid conflict, beauty 
amid obloquy, and life amid its own ashes, until at 
length it went forth conquering and to conquer the 
world. 

It is not too much to say, that Christianity, sup- 
ported by such an accumulation of evidence (and the 
half has not been told), is and must be true, is and 
must he a Revelation from God. 

92. Repeat the subject of our examination thus far. 

93. What ought to be the result of this examination on our- 

selves 1 ' 



184 TRUTHFULNESS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. 

Happy, dear reader, if, by these humble labors, in 
any instance the unbeliever shall be convinced, or the 
weak be strengthened. 

Thrice happy, if, in any heart, by Divine grace, 
without which we can do nothing, stability shall be 
imparted to your faith, firmness to your constancy, 
intelligence to your understanding, depth of devotion 
to your love. 

Happier still, if any one shall be induced to conse- 
crate himself with more entireness of purpose to the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Let us not always be babes in knowledge, but rather 
go on unto the stature of full-grown men in Christ. 

Feebly as we have written of Zion's strength and 
beauty, while we have lingered around her glorious 
walls, yet surely she does stand upon the Everlasting 
Kock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against 
her ! 

'' He that falleth upon this stone shall be broken, 
but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to 
powder." But to him that believeth and obeyeth, her 
walls are for salvation, and her gates praise. 

94. How ought we to regard the ultimate principle of the 
Gospel 1 95. Will it finally prevail 1 

96. Have we a pledge of this ? 

97. What is the consequence of rejecting it? 



CHAPTER X. 

REVELATION CONSISTS OF DOCTRINES AND IN- 
STITUTIONS. 

The evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion 
have hitherto engaged our attention. AYe have en- 
deavored to prove the , existence and perfections of 
G-OD from the light of nature ; the probability and 
necessity of a Revelation of His will to His intelligent 
creatures. We have endeavored to show that such a 
Revelation has actually been made ; that that Reve- 
lation bears all the external and internal evidences 
of its divine origin ; and, as such, is commended to 
our intelligent and hearty reception. 

But such an examination, so far from exhausting 
the subject, only prepares the way for entering upon 
another equally important inquiry, What are those 
things which Gtod has revealed ? 

This is a great question ; to meet which, in all its 
bearings^ would require far more time and attention 

1. What general subject has been hitherto examined'? 

2. What have we proved '? 

3. Does this examination exhaust the subject % 

4. What is the question now to be answered' % 

16* 



186 DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 

tlian we Iiave now at command. Upon this theme, 
minds of the greatest strength, and enlightened by 
the most profound attainments, have been employed. 

But our intentions are humbler. We are not to 
enter into a minute examination of the mysterious 
doctrines of Kevelation ; we would rather, if we might, 
present the outlines of that system which God has 
graciously made known ; and having given a right 
direction to the thoughts of the reader, leave him to 
pursue the subject further, as he shall have oppor- 
tunity. 

I. We observe, in general, that God, in revealing 
what men are to believe and to practise, has made 
that Eevelation, in the form of doctpcINEs and of insti- 
tutions. And both doctrines and institutions are to 
be regarded as indebted for their existence to His 
wisdom, for their authority to His appointment and 
comma^adment, and for their blessing to His power, 
truth, and love. 

In respect to this position, which we ask the reader 
most carefully to ponder, there are misapprehensions 
and errors abroad directly at variance with the posi- 
tion, and against which we should be on our guard. 

Thus, in the estimation of some, Revelation is sup- 
posed to consist more particularly of institutions — - 

5. What do yoa say of it 7 6. How are we to treat it 1 

7. What is the first position 1 

8. How are these to be regarded 1 

9. What is their origin and authority? 

10. Are there errors taught concerning them 1 

11. What is the first error named 1 



DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 187 

visible and perpetuated institutions— very considera- 
ble degrees of power being given to such institutions 
over the doctrines of Revelation. 

An error directly opposed to this is, that Revela- 
tion consists mainly, or almost wholly, in doctrines ; 
visible institutions being regarded as matters of sec- 
ondary importance, and, as such, liable to be abroga- 
ted, altered, or amended, as mere matters of expe- 
diency. 

Still another error, differing from both these, is 
gaining currency in modern times. That Gtod has 
revealed neither doctrines nor institutions, which are 
to be regarded as perpetually and unchangeably bind- 
ing on men ; but that the Bible, and this alone, is to 
be regarded as obligatory on the reception of Gtod's 
creatures, without either positive form of doctrine, or 
positive form of institution. 

We do not propose now to refute these opinions ; 
we state them for the purpose of presenting with 
greater distinctness, the truth as it is in Jesus Christ ; 
and we think the reader will, in the conclusion of our 
examination, infer for himself that each of the above 
positions is essentially wrong. For, the reader will 
perceive, that it must be, as it has been, the natural 
tendency of the first error to blot out all the essential 
doctrines of the Gospel ; of the second, to do away 

12. What is an opposite error 1 

13. What is another error named 7 

14. Are we to refute these errors 1 

15. Why are they named 1 

16. What is the tendency of the first error 1 



188 DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 

with the positive institutions of Christianity ; and of 
the third, to banish all those landmarks which have 
in all ages been the test of the truth, in opposition to 
the wildest radicalisnij and even the most open infi- 
delity. 

In distinction from all these errors, it will appear, 
that God's will ha^ been revealed to the world in the 
form both of doctrines and institutions; which, to- 
gether, are to be regarded as the special gifts of GrOD, 
and, as such, obligatory perpetually ; neither of which 
are to be subject to human change. 

First. All those presumptive arguments in favor of 
a Revelation, which are drawn from the probability 
and necessity of a Revelation, imply, that that Reve- 
lation shall consist, partly at least ^ in doctrine. 

For, man's ignorance concerning Gtod, himself, his 
duty, and destiny ; man's acknowledged sinfulness, 
his consciousness of guilt, his need of a knowledge of 
grace and pardon ; all these imply that a Revelation 
suited to such wants shall consist of doctrines con- 
taining corresponding instructions. 

Second. As G-od Himself is a God of truth, is in- 
visible and spiritual, so it is in accordance with these 
essential properties of His nature, that a Revelation 
from Him to His creatures shall consist, partly at 

17. What of the second'? 18. What of the third? 

19. What position is advanced 1 

20. What is the first argument in fav^or of the Revelation of 

doctrines ? 

21. Do these wants require doctrine 1 



DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 189 

least, of doctrines, or of truths which are to be be- 
lieved. 

Third. It is also presumable, that a Revelation 
from God to such a creature as man. shall consist 
partly of visible institutions. 

The twofold nature of man renders such a mode of 
Revelation probable. It is not wholly material, or 
wholly immaterial, but exists in a mysterious union 
of both. While, therefore, purely spiritual or imma- 
terial beings, such as angels, might be addressed in a 
purely spiritual manner, yet the twofold nature of 
man renders it at least probable, that, while Gtod 
might reveal some truths addressed directly to his 
spiritual apprehension, yet that He would embody 
other truths in visible forms, or institutions. 

Fourth. This method of Revelation by visible in- 
stitutions, is in close analogy with what God has 
actually done in the natural world. 

He there communicates to us, not simply the bare 
fact that He possesses certain attributes or properties, 
but He makes a striking exhibition of those attributes 
in the visible works of His hands. Wisdom, Beauty, 
Love, Power, as attributes of -the Godhead, are made 
known to us not by simple affirmation, but are mir- 
rored forth in the starry heavens, the verdant, bloom- 

23. What is an argument for Institutions 1 

24. What is the nature of man 1 

25. What is another argument of this kind 1 

26. Does not God make such exhibitions of His attributes 1 

27. How are His perfections exhibited 7 

28. What are some of these 1 



190 DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 

ing, fragrant fields, the echoing forests, and the 
boundless sea. And if God manifests His perfections 
in the natural world by means of visible forms, so it 
is not improbable that in making a Revelation of His 
will to mankind, He should do it in the form of visi- 
ble institutions. 

Fifth. Visible institutions are adapted to the nature 
of man in another respect. Man is naturally endowed 
with the gifts of taste and sentiment. Even when 
the intellectual and moral faculties are most thorough- 
ly cultivated, these powers, so far from losing their 
hold upon him, still remain among the master-spirits 
of the human mind. Visible institutions are peculi- 
arly adapted to such emotions and susceptibilities of 
the mind : and religion, therefore, would fail to ad- 
dress man where most susceptible of impression, did 
it not appeal to him in the form of such institutions. 

Such are some of the reasons why it is at least 
strongly probable, that a revelation from God to man 
should consist partly of doctrines, and partly of visi- 
ble institutions. 

Sixth. We come now to our next position, that God 
has, as a matter of fact, actually revealed His will in 
the form both of doctrines and institutions. 

This was true, in respect to His ancient people, the 

29. What is another argument for institutions 1 

30. Are these gifts destroyed by education % 

31. Have they great influence over society? 

32. Is it wise to neglect them 1 

33. What is the next position 7 

34. Was this true of the Jews 1 



DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 191 

Jews. He revealed certain moral truths to be be- 
lieved, and certain duties and precepts to be obeyed. 
He also appointed certain visible institutions, gave to 
those institutions organic forms, and rendered an ob- 
servance of them in the most minute particular bind- 
ing upon the conscience. He gave minute directions, 
respecting the construction of the temple, and its far- 
niture, adornments, and worship. He appointed the 
priesthood, sacrifices, rites, and ceremonies of the 
Jewish Church. He even manifested His own pres- 
ence in the temple, by means of the Shechinah, 
showing forth thus visibi}'^ His own power and glory. 

Seventh. When Jesus Christ came into the world, 
to make further revelation of His Father's will, He 
still made use of the same method of communication. 
He was, in His own person, an exhibition of this very 
point under consideration. For, although He was 
full of grace and truth, yet He took not on Him the 
nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed of 
Abraham. And ^' forasmuch as the children are 
partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise 
took part of the same.'' 

So also, in making a clearer and fuller revelation, 
He did not overlook the twofold nature of mankind, 
but suited the method of that revelation to the con- 
dition and wants of those to whom He came. He 
• 

35. What did God reveal to them '? 

3^. What did He appoint 1 37. How was He manifested 1 

38. What was the course pursued by our Saviour '? 

39. Was His Incarnation an argument — and how '? 

40. What was the character of His Revelation 7 



192 DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 

announced some doctrines : He revealed the Godhead, 
as existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost ; He brought life and immortality to light in 
the Gospel ; He gave assurance of pardon of sin on 
specific conditions ; and then added the most weighty 
motives to secure compliance with those conditions. 

And having done all this, so far from leaving those 
truths and doctrines to be perpetuated by secondary 
means of human origin and appointment. He did not 
separate the body and soul of religion : He appointed 
a new and living temple ; He established a Christian 
ministry, and Christian sacraments, and Christian 
worship. So far from dispensing with visible institu- 
tions, He established the Church to be " the pillar 
and ground of the truth ;" the medium, by which the 
doctrines should be witnessed, kept and proclaimed 
in the world. He joined together institutions and 
doctrines by a sacred and holy bond, and hence left 
no liberty to put asunder what He had so firmly 
united. 

Eighth. To learn what these doctrines, and what 
these institutions are, we are to go back to the days 
of Christ and the Apostles ; not with a spirit of 
vain curiosity, not as if to ascertain what is, on the 
whole, the best form of Christian doctrine, or what are 

41 . What did He reveal 1 * 

42. What were some of the doctrines 1 

43. By what motives did He enforce them 1 

44. Did He appoint Institutions '? 

45. How are we to ascertain what these were % 

46. What inquiry should we make 1 



DOCTPaNES AND INSTITUTIONS. 193 

tlie best forms of Christian institutions, but rather what 
are the doctrines which Christ taught, and what are 
the institutions which Chuist appointed. And such 
doctrines, and such institutions, when ascertained, 
come to us, not with the claim of mere preference, but 
with the higher claim of authority and obedience. 

We are, therefore, to tax the best powers of our 
minds, our judgment, and our understanding, we are 
to listen to the teachings of God's providence and 
grace, not with a view of forming for ourselves new 
doctrines, or framing up new institutions, but rather 
of ascertaining the important fact — v^hat were the 
DOCTRINES which Jesus Christ delivered ? lohat were 
the institutions which Jesus Christ established ? 

Now, our blessed Saviour, after His resurrection, 
did not go forth in person to establish His Church, 
neither did He immediately ascend to Heaven ; but 
He remained with the Apostles forty days, '' being 
seen of them, and speaking of the things pertaining 
to the kingdom of Gtod," or the Church. Acts i. 2, 3. 
And just before His ascension He gave them power 
and commission in these words : ' " All power is 

given unto me in heaven and on earth. GrO YE 



47. How should we regard such doctrines and institutions 7 

48. What efforts should we make in this inquiry '? 

49. What two questions should we answer 1 

50. Did our Saviour go forth in person to establish the Church 

after His resurrection 1 

51. Through whom did He do if? 

52. What was the language of their commission % 

17 



194" DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 

IN THE NAME OF THE FaTHER, AND OF THE SoN, AND 

OF THE Holy Gthost ; teaching them to obsep^ve 

ALL THINGS WHATSOEVEPv. I HAVE COMMANDED YOU : 
AND LOj I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END 

OF THE WORLD." St. Matt, xxviii. 18-20. 

And the Apostles, clothed with this power and 
commission, and endued with the miraculous gifts 
of the Holy G-host, as the credentials of that power, 
went forth to exercise that power, and fulfil that com- 
mission ; and hence it follows that the doctrines taught 
hy the Apostles^ and the institutiofis planted by the 
Apostles^ thus sanctioned hy the miraculous influences of 
the Holy Ghost ^ were the doctrines and institutions of 
Jesus Christ, iii whose ?iame^ power and comijiission 
they went forth. 

Ninth. This method of argument is becoming more 
and more important, with the progress of time. For, 
at the present day, among those who differ most radi- 
cally from each other in respect to important doctrines 
and institutions, yet all appeal with equal pertinacity 
to the Bible, as their common standard, culling out 
passages here and there to suit their private novel 
speculations. Now, in respect to the constitution of 
civil government, it is customary to settle disputed 
points by going back to the practice of the very men 
who framed that constitution ; so in regard to the 

53. With what were they endued 1 

54. What conclusion necessarily follows 1 

55. What do you say of this method of argument 1 

56. What fact is obvious 1 57. Do all claim to be right % 
58. In civil questions what course is taken ^ 



DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 195 

doctrines and institutions of Christ, if doubts arise^ 
how much more important to refer at once to the 
practice and teaching of those inspired men who were 
immediately commissioned by the Great Head of the 
Church, who were personally taught by Him, and who 
were specially qualified by the Holy Ghost for this 
work. 

Tenth. The good providence of God, who watches, 
even the falling sparrow, has provided abundant facil- 
ities for deciding concerning the faith and practice of 
the Church. In respect to both doctrine and institu- 
tions (besides historic testimony), the Church, which 
is " the pillar and ground of the truth," bears testi- 
mony enough to satisfy the humble soul, which meekly 
listens to the divine teaching. 

The essential doctrines of Revelation, as it appears, 
were early grouped together into what St. Paul calls 
" a form of doctrine " (Rom. vi. 17), and by a stronger 
term still in the original, a " form of sound words " 
(2 Tim. i. 13), and which was carried by the Apostles 
into all the world whither they went. These essen- 
tial doctrines were embodied in what was afterwards 
known as the " Apostles' Creed," the truths of which 



59. What should we do 1 

60. Has God made provisions for such questions '? 

61. Was this one object of the Church '? 
6-2. What is it said to be 1 

63. How were the doctrines of the Gospel grouped 1 

64. What does St. Paul call them 1 

65. Where were they practised % 

io^. Are they still found thus spread every where '? 



196 DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 

were proclaimed without material variation in the 
remote isles of Britain, through all southern Europe 
and northern Africa, and in the interior of Central 
and then populous Asia. It contains no metaphysical 
speculations, or scholastic subtleties, such as afterward 
distracted the attention of believers. It simply con- 
tains the great facts and doctrinal truths of Revela- 
tion. 

These truths were afterwards more clearly defined 
in the Nicene Creed. 

To those old creeds, then, we are still to go, and 
listen to them as faithful witnesses to the doctrines 
of the Revelation of God. 

The Church hath also power to witness against and 
reject all errors and heresies, as they may from time 
to time spring up. This she hath already done, in 
her Articles and Homilies, and may continue still to 
do, as necessity may arise. 

Eleventh. In respect to the institutions of the 
Gospel, there exists the same rule of evidence, the 
same source of appeal, as in respect to doctrine. 

The Holy Scriptures inform us what those institu- 
tions were. And where doubts or controversies arise^ 
we have but to appeal to the practice of the apostles, 
and of the universal Church in her purest days. We 

67. What is the character of the Apostles' Creed '? 

68. What was afterwards compiled 1 

69. Have we equal evidence as to institutions '? 

70. What is our first source of evidence 1 

71. In case of dispute, what must we do ? 



DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 197 

find there the institution of the visible Church of 
Christ. 

We find there the institution of two, and only 
two. Christian Sacraments, viz., Baptism and the 
Lord's Supper. 

We find the institution of the Christian ministry 
appointed, commissioned, and sent forth by Jesus 
Christ, and that ministry consisting of three orders. 
Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons. 

We find the institution of the Christian Sabbath, 
the day being changed from the seventh to the first 
day of the week, in commemoration of the resurrection 
of Christ. 

We find the institution of the Rite of Confirmation, 
or the laying on of hands. 

We find the institution of Christian worship, and 
the off'ering up in Christian assemblies of the sacrifices 
of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. 

We read also many other things, pertaining to the 
holy living of the primitive Christians, written for our 
instruction, that we, with them, through grace, may 
finally inherit the promises. 

Such, in brief, are the institutions of revealed re- 
ligion in Christian times. We do not here present 

72. What was one institution 1 

73. What was another ? How many sacraments ? 

74. What was another 1 In how many orders % 

75. What was another 1 What change of day 1 

76. What was another ? 

77. What is the last named 1 

78. Do all these seem to be scriptural and apostolic ? 

17* 



198 DOCTRINES AND INSTITUTIONS. 

the arguments by wMcli these institutions are de- 
fended. This will be done in a concluding chapter. 
All that we have now designed is, to show, that GoDj 
in revealing His will, has done it not only in the form 
of doctrines, but also of institutions. 

Conclusion. — How important are the considera- 
tions which have now been presented. Amidst the 
exciting topics of the day, the strifes and care of 
worldly business, and the allurements of science, we 
should not lose sight of an object more important than 
all these. The world and its cares are lighter than 
vanity; even science and art vanish into insignifi- 
cance, in comparison with another greater question 
than all these — What hath God revealed to us, as 
His immortal, accountable children !■ 

If the great heathen orator commended human 
learning above worldly riches, because it follows us 
to our business, to our retirements, and abides with 
us continually, by how much stronger claim are these 
things of God enforced, which follow us even into the 
unseen world ! 

Let us not regard the Revelation of God as a mere 
theory, a vain speculation, but rather as containing 
practical duties, which are to be believed and obeyed. 

79. Are the evidences and arguments stated 1 

80. What concluding reflections are drawn 7 

81. Are these questions of curiosity 1 
8*2. How ought we to receive them 1 

83. How did Cicero enforce the claims of learning 7 

84. How much stronger is the claim of Religion 1 



docthines and institutions. 199 

And thuSj Faith, and Hope, and Love, will all be in- 
vigorated ; while we may be animated with the reflec- 
tion, that the partial obscurity of our present vision 
will soon open into the light of perfect day. 

What benefit follows a reception of it ? 
What promise follows 1 



CHAPTER XL 

INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

In the former chapter we endeavored to prove, by 
numerous arguments, that Revelation contains both 
doctrines and institutions. It was also stated where 
those doctrines may be found, and what those insti- 
tutions are. 

So strong, however, is the tendency, at the present 
day, to overlook the importance of the institutions of 
Christianity ; so often are we called upon to bear wit- 
ness against dangerous innovations, and in favor of 
apostolic and divine institutions : that we propose, as 
a suitable conclusion to this whole subject of Natural 
and Revealed Religion, to present a few of the main 
arguments in support of the institutions of our most 
holy religion. 

The institutions of Christianity are — 

I. A visible Church of Christ. 

1. What was the subject of the last chapter 1 

2. What tendency exists at the present day 1 

3. What are we often called to do 1 

4. What is to be now examined 1 

5. What are the institutions of Christianity 1 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 201 

II. A Cliristian Ministry, consisting of three orders. 

III. The Christian Sacraments of Eaptism and the 
Lord's Supper. 

IV. The Christian Sabbath and Christian Worship. 

V. The Rite of Confirmation, 

Each of these institutions, we believe, belongs to 
the Christian religion, and imposes upon us duties 
and obligations, by which we are religiously bound. 

Concerning the precise nature of some of these in- 
stitutions there may be found some diversity of opin- 
ion ; but, concerning the fact itself, that they are 
institutions of the Gospel, we suppose there should 
be no difference of sentiment. We enter, there- 
fore, at once upon a consideration of the promi- 
nent arguments by which these institutions are sup- 
ported. 

I. In the system of Revealed Religion there is the 
institution of a visible Church. 

We' are not, however, to regard the visible Church 
as ^r5^ instituted by our Saviour at the time of His 
advent : for St. Stephen, addressing the Jewish coun- 
cil, speaks of the Church as existing in the time of 
Moses, when he says, " This is He that was in the 
Church in the wilderness." Acts vii. 38. That same 
Church was perpetuated, to our Saviour's time ; by 
Him it was somewhat modified but not destroyed; 

6. What is said concerning the nature of some of these 1 

7. Of what is there no dispute 1 

8. What institution is first considered 7 

9. Was this first planted by Jesus Christ at His advent 1 
10. When did it exist 1 11. What did He do 1 



202 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

the plan of salvation was more completely developed ; 
that Church has been continued to our own day, and 
will be handed down till the end of time. All that 
we now propose to prove is, that the visible Church 
was spoken of as existing in the time of our Saviour, 
and is one of the institutions of Christianity. 

Thus, in speaking of a brother who hath trespassed, 
our Saviour says, '' If he neglect to hear them, tell it 
unto the Church ; but if he neglect to hear the 
Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and 
a publican," St. Matt, xviii. 17. 

After the ascension . of our Saviour, we find the 
sacred writers using language like this : " At that 
time there was a great persecution against the Church, 
which was in Jerusalem." Acts viii. 1. "Prayer 
was made without ceasing of the Church unto GrOD 
for him." Acts xii. 5. " Then pleased it the Apostles 
and elders, with the whole Church." Acts xv. 22. 
"Let him call for the elders of the Church." (St. 
James v. 4. 

The Greek word Ecdesia^ translated Churchy occurs 
in the New Testament one hundred and fourteen 
times ; and in a very great number of these instances 
is so used that it must necessarily refer to a visible 
institution. This frequent -use of the term is suffi- 
cient proof that there was such an institution in the 



12. What are we now to prove ? 

13. Give the scriptural authority for this 1 

14. How often does the Greek word occur in the New Testa- 

ment 1 15. What does this prove ? 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHPwISTIANITY. 203 

time of our Saviour and His Apostles, as a visible 
Christian Churcli. 

Tlie manner in which it is spoken of shows the ex- 
alted character which belongs to it. It is the object 
of our Saviour's strongest love. For " Christ loved 
the Church, and gave Himself for it." Eph. v. 25. 
'- It is the fullness of Him that filleth all in all," 
Eph. i. 23 — and so is the medium of the richest bless- 
ings to the world. High destinies await her here- 
after. If glorious things were spoken of the city of 
GrOD in olden time (Ps. Ixxxvii. 3), more emphatically 
is this true of that Mount Zion, that heavenly Jeru- 
salem unto which we are come. Heb. xii. 22 and 23. 

Enough has been said to prove, that the visible 
Church of Christ is an institution of revealed re- 
ligion. 

II. Another institution of revealed religion is the 
Christian Ministry ; and that ministry consisting of 
three orders, known as Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. 

First. The importance of this ministry is every 
where apparent. It is so in the value attached to it. 
It is called a '• treasure." '-- We have this treasure in 
earthen vessels." 2 Cor. iv. 7. It is so in its origin , 
which is said to be the -'grace of Gtod." Eph. iii. 7. 
It is so in its object, viz., ''the perfecting of the saints. 

16. How do you prove its dignity and importance 1 

17. In what manner do the Holy Scriptures represent it 1 

18. What institution is next named 1 

19. In how many orders does it exist 1 

20. How do you prove its importance ? 

21. What is its origin and object 1 ■..,■ . ,^, 



204 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY, 

the edifying of the body of Christ ;" and, '' as ambas- 
sadors for Christ, to reconcile the world unto Gtod." 
Eph. iv. 12, and 2 Cor. v. 18-20. 

Second. There was a ministry, and that in three 
orders, in the Jewish Church. From among all the 
Jews, the tribe of Levi was specially called to the 
work of the holy ministry. Num. viii. 5-26. The 
business of the Levites was to wait upon the priests, 
and to assist in the service of the tabernacle and tem- 
ple. Num. iii. 9. I Chron. xxiii. 28. These were the 
third order of the Jewish ministry. 

From this tribe the family of Aaron was called to 
the special office of the priesthood. The business of 
the priests, or second order, was to serve immediately 
at the altar, to prepare the victims, and offer the 
sacrifices. Ex. xxix. Lev. viii., ix. 

Over all these was the high priest, the first order 
of the ministry. He alone might enter into the 
'-'• holy of holies," and to him was committed the 
supreme administration of sacred things. Ex. xxix. 
Lev. xvi. 

Third. Now, as the various rites in the Jewish 
Church were types of good things to come ; as circum- 
cision and the passover pointed forward to correspond- 
ing things in Christian times ; so the ministry, and 
the form of the ministry, in the Jewish Church, 

22. What argument is drawn from the Jewish Church 1 

23. What was the business of the Levites 7 

24. What was the business of the Priests 1 

25. What was the office and duty of the High Priest 1 

26. To what did Jewish institutions correspond 1 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 205 

would imply a similar institution in the Churcli of 
Christ, unless it can be shown that there are no 
duties and offices to be performed, no sacraments to 
be administered, no worship to be celebrated, no 
spiritual sacrifices of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving 
to be offered. But this will not be pretended — and 
we should be led to look, therefore, for a ministry in 
the Christian, corresponding to that in the Jewish 
Church. « 

Fourth. So also, as a matter of fact, we find our 
blessed Saviour, after His resurrection, and previous 
to his ascension, appointing, commissioning, and send- 
ing forth a ministry. That commission was given to 
the Apostles, and them alone. Acts i. 2 and 3. It 
contains, first, a declaration of the power by which He 
was then solemnly acting : " All power is given unto 
me in Heaven and on earth." It then appoints the 
Apostles to the office : '' Go ye." It then specifies the 
work assigned them : -' Teach all nations, baptizing 
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost, and teaching them to observe all 
things whatsoever I have commanded you." It then 
conveys the promise of His presence with that minis- 
try till the end of time : " Lo, I am with you alway^ 
even unto the end of the world." St. Matt, xxviii. 18- 

27. Is there any work calling for a ministry now — and what % 

28. At what period of our Saviour's life did He commission 

a ministry 1 29. To whom was the commission given? 

30. By what power did He act ? 

31. What duties did He impose on them 1 

32. What promise did He give them 1 

18 



206 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

20. Here, in language which could not have been 
more explicit, there is recorded the institution of a 
ministry ; the appointment of men to that ministry ; 
the duties of that ministry ; and the perpetuity of 
that ministry alway^ or to the end of time. 

Fifth. The Apostles always spoke of the ministry 
as a divine, and not a human institution. " The min- 
istry which I have received of the Loud Jesus." Acts 
XX. 24. '' God Vath given to us the ministry of recon- 
ciliation. Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ." 
2 Cor. V. 20. " No man taketh this honor upon him- 
self, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Heb. 
V. 4 and 5. 

Hence, then, we prove the Christian ministry to be 
an institution of our blessed religion. 

Sixth. That ministry was a threefold ministry, or 
consisted of three orders. 

In the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, in several 
of the Epistles, and in the Book of the Revelation of 
St. John, we find constant reference made to — first, 
Apostles ; secondly, presbyters, also called elders ; and 
thirdly, deacons. In a little time, the name Apostle 
was, as a mark of honor, appropriated to those whom 
our Saviour first called ; and their successors in office 
were called Bishops ; which apostolic offi.ce, together 
with that of presbyters and deacons, has been handed 
down to our own days. The name ''bishop," signify- 

33. Is the ministry a human or Divine institution 7 

34. Have you scriptural authority — and where ? 

35. What is that ministry in its form? 

36. How many grades of ministers are spoken oH 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 207 

ing overseer^ and the name " deacon," signifying ser- 
vant^ having at the first no technical character, were 
then used with more latitude of expression. Thus 
the Apostles Peter and John are said to be presby- 
ters. (1 Pet. V. 1. 2 John. i. 1.) And St. Paul de- 
clared that himself and Apollos were deacons^ as the 
original word is diaconoi. 1 Cor. iii. 5. But this does 
not prove that they were deacons in the technical or 
specific sense of the word, or that they were not 
Apostles. It is enough to show, as can easily be 
done, that the offices bf Apostles (afterwards called 
bishops), and of presbyters, and of deacons, were dis- 
tinct from each other, and that these offices were 
established in the Church. 

Seventh. It is sometimes asked, why is there not a 
command in the New Testament that there shall be 
three orders in the ministry !■ But why, it may be 
asked in reply, is there not a command on other dis- 
puted doctrines ; as that of the trinity, of infant bap- 
tism, and of the Christian Sabbath ? 

An answer to the inquiry may be found, however, 
in the fact, that the writings of the New Testament 
were not composed until churches were extensively and 
thoroughly planted. The " Acts of the Apostles " 

37. How are the words, '^ Bishop " and " Deacon," used in 

the New Testament 1 

38. When did they have a technical meaning as applied to 

permanent offices 1 39. What is it enough to show 1 

40. What question is sometimes asked 1 

41. Concerning what other things may it as well be asked "^ 

42. How else would you answer iti 



208 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

was not written until about thirty years after the 
Ascension. Some of the Epistles bear a much later 
date. Before this time, churches were planted in 
various parts of the Eoman empire ; in Kome, Phi- 
lippi, Corinth, Ephesus, Crete, &c., &c. We should 
not expect to find commands in reference to that 
which already existed ; while we should expect to find 
frequent allusions to practices and institutions exist- 
ing under the Apostles : and so it is. In the histori- 
cal portions of the New Testament, we find frequent 
allusions to the three orders of the ministry, actually 
engaged in the peculiar work of their respective offices. 

Eighth. Thus we find the Apostles, and them only^ 
ordaining men to the sacred office of the ministry, 
and administering the rite of confirmation. 

The Apostles (and not the people) ordained the 
seven deacons. Acts vi. 3-6. 

The Apostles Paul and Barnabas ordained presby- 
ters in every church where they travelled. Acts xiv. 23. 

Timothy, young in years (1 Tim. iv. 12), is advised 
whom he must admit to the order of presbyters, then 
called bishops, and whom to the office of deacons. 
1 Tim. i. 3; iii. 10. Titus was left by St. Paul in 
Crete, to ordain elders or presbyters in every city 

43. When were the Books of the New Testament written *? 

44. What would this lead us to anticipate 1 

45. What allusions do we find 7 

46. Whom do we find ordaining ? 

47. Are Presbyters and Deacons ever found ordaining 1 

48. Who ordained the seven deacons 1 

49. What other instances of the Apostles' ordaining 1 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 209 

throughout the island. Tit. i. 5. St. John, in the 
Revelation, written at a late period, addresses some 
one in each of the seven churches in Asia. He calls 
him an angel, or, as the term signifies. Apostle. He 
regards him as having the care of those churches, and 
as responsible for the doctrines there taught ; one of 
which churches (that at Ephosus) had, long since, its 
presbyters and deacons. 

We find also the Apostles, and them only^ adminis- 
tering the rite of confirmation, or laying on of hands. 
The Apostles Peter and John administered it in 
Samaria. Acts viii. 17. St. Paul did the same in 
Bphesus. 

This order of the ministry had also supervision 
over their respective churches, and power to adminis- 
ter authority and discipline. 2 Cor. xi. 28. 1 Tim. v. 
19 and 20. Tit. ii. 18. Eev. ii. 14-20. 

Ninth. Next after the Apostles, we find the order 
of elders, or presbyters. 

At the early Council of the Church at Jerusalem, 
called to decide concerning the question of circum- 
cision, a formal decree, and carefully drawn up, was 
sent forth in the name of the Apostles, and elders or 



50. Who ordainea in Crete 1 

51. Were there many cities and congregations there? 

52. What do you find in the seven churches of Asia 1 

53. What other act did the Apostles perform 7 

54. Have we any proof of other orders performing this 1 

55. What other power had they 1 

56. What is the next order of the ministry 1 

57. Where are they officially named 1 

18* 



^10 INSTITUTIONS OF CIimSTIANITY. 

presbyters, and brethren, in which this second order 
of the ministry is clearly and formally recognized, as 
distinct both from the " Apostles " on the one hand, 
and the " brethren " on the other. Acts xv. 23. 

They were an order of the ministry. St. Paul ad- 
dresses the presbyters of Ephesus as such. Acts xx. 
28. The qualifications required of them also proves 
this. For they must be " apt to teach ;" " one that 
ruleth his own house well," 1 Tim. iii. 2 and 5. And 
they were admitted by ordination to their sacred 
office. For Paul and Barnabas " ordained elders or 
presbyters in every city." Acts xiv. 23. This was 
also one important object of Titus in the island of 
Crete. Titus i. 5. 

Tenth. Next after the presbyters was the order of 
deacons. They were an order of the ministry. They 
were admitted to this office by ordination, at the hands 
of the Apostles. Acts vi. 6. And St. Paul says, 
" They that have used the office of a deacon well, pur- 
chase to themselves a good degree ;" or, are entitled 
to advancement in the sacred ministry. 1 Tim. iii. 13. 

The qualifications demanded of them implies their 
ministerial character. They must be " full of the 

58. Was that decree an official document 1 

59. What do these names prove 7 

60. How do you prove that they were an order of the ministry^ 

61. Give the scriptural proofs of this. 

62. What was the next order of the ministry'? 

63. Prove that they were an order of the ministry. 

64. How were they admitted to office ? 

65. What do you say of their qualifications 7 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 211 

Holy Ghost and of wisdom." Acts vi. 8. They must 
be " grave, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure 
conscience, ruling their children and their house well." 
1 Tim. iii. 8, 9, 12. They also performed ministerial 
acts, in that they preached and baptized. Acts viii. 
5, 12, 38. 

Such is a brief sketch of the scriptural argument 
for the three orders of the Christian ministry — Apos- 
tles (afterward called bishops), presbyters, and dea- 
cons. It is an argument which increases in strength, 
the more attentively the pages of the sacred volume 
are read in their connection with each other. 

Eleventh. The three orders of the ministry are 
clearly proved by the writings of the apostolic fathers, 
and the testimony of the early Church. 

The apostolic fathers were men who lived in the 
days of the Apostles, and so were eye-witnesses of 
their labors ; or immediately after them, and so could 
not have been mistaken as to the facts to which they 
bear testimony. Their writings are invaluable to us 
in many respects, as proof respecting the Holy Scrip- 
tures, the doctrine, ministry, and worship of the early 
Church. The chief of these apostolic men whose 
writings have come down to us, are Clement of Rome, 

66. What acts did they perform 1 

67. What argument have we thus far presented 1 

68. What source of proof is now offered 1 

69. Who were the apostolic fathers 1 

70. Why is their testimony valuable "l 

71. On what other subjects are they valuable witnesses ? 

72. Name some of them. 



212 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY, 

Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and a little later, 
Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, 
and others. As we descend a little further, such 
writings become more numerous and voluminous. 

Now the writings of these apostolic men are very 
decided upon this point of the three orders of the 
ministry. 

Ignatius, who lived in the first centur}'-, says, " I 
salute your very worthy bishop, and your venerable 
presbytery, and your deacons, my fellow-servants." — 
Ep. ad Smyr.^ sec. 12. 

Again : " I have been thought worthy to see you, by 
Damas, your godly and excellent bishop, and by your 
worthy presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius, and by my 
fellow-servant, Sotio the deacon." — Ep. ad Mag., sec. 2. 

Again : " For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, and one cup in the unity of His blood ; one 
altar, as there is also one bishop, together with the 
presbytery, and the deacons my fellow-servants." — 
E^, ad Phil. sec. 4. 

Clement of Alexandria, a little later, says : " There 
are other precepts in the Holy Scriptures, without 
number, which concern men in particular capacities ; 
some which relate to presbyters, others which belong 
to bishops, and others respecting deacons." — Pcedag.^ 
lib. iii., cap. 12. 

Tertullian says, " The chief or highest priest, who 

73. Are the writings of those men voluminous 1 

74. What does Ignatius say '? 

75. Does he name distinctly Bi&hops, Priests and Deacons 1 

76. What does Clement say 1 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 213 

is the bishop, has the right of giving baptism, and 
after him the presbyters and deacons, but not without 
the bishop's authority.^' — Lib. de Bap., cap. 17. 

Origeu says, speaking of "• debts '' in our Lord's 
prayer, '' Besides these general debts, there is a debt 
peculiar to widows who are maintained by the Church, 
another to deacons, another to presbyters, and another 
to bishops, which is the greatest of all." 

Such is only a specimen of the testimony of the early 
Church respecting the organization of the ministry in 
apostolic times ; testimony clear, full, and explicit ; 
testimony of men who lived at a time when they could 
not have been mistaken ; men who died by the most 
cruel deaths, martyrs to the truth. And yet, without 
one exception, they testify to this universal fact, the 
establishment of a ministry in three orders throughout 
the whole Church. During the first fifteen hundred 
years after Christ's time, we find no trace of any 
other ministry in existence. Throughout Asia, Afri- 
ca, and Europe, under every form of civil government, 
in every shade of refinement, the Church was estab- 
lished under such a ministry. And although, about 
three hundred years since, a different state of things 
began to exist, yet more than nine-tenths of the Chris- 

77. State the testimony of Tertullian. 

78. Give the quotation from Origen. 

79. Are there other proofs similar to these 1 

80. Is their testimony full ? 

81. How did they confirm their statements'? 

82. Were the three orders universal 1 S3. For how long 1 
84. How prevalent is that ministry now 7 



214 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

tian world, at this day, have preserved the same three- 
fold ministry. 

Such is the institution of the Christian ministry in 
the Church of God. We have dwelt the longer upon 
it, because of its importance. We commend the sub- 
ject to the more thorough examination of the reader. 

III. Another institution of revealed religion was 
that of the two sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's 
Supper. 

BotJi these were instituted by Jesus Christ. Both 
are visible institutions, having an outward and visible 
form. Both are means whereby we receive inward 
and spiritual grace. Both are enjoined upon all the 
disciples of Christ. 

In our Saviour's last commission to the Apostles^ 
He appointed the Holy Sacrament of Baptism. He 
commanded them to baptize all nations, and gave 
them the form of that baptism. It should be ^' in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost." St. Matt, xxviii. 19. 

So also, the night in which He was betrayed, He 
established the Holy Sacrament of His Supper. " He 
took the bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave 
it to the disciples, and said. Take, eat, this is my 

85. What is another institution 1 86. Who appointed them ? 

87. Have they an outward form 7 88. What is that form % 

89. Have they inward grace when rightly received 1 

90. Are they obligatory on all 1 

91. When was the Sacrament of Baptism appointed? 

92. What form did He give 1 

93. When did He establish the Lord's Supper % 



mSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 215 

body. He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave 
it to them, saying. Drink ye all of it, for this is my 
blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many 
for the remission of sins." St. Matt. xxvi. 26-28. 

" This do ye, as oft as ye drink it in remembrance 
of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink 
this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come." 
1 Cor. xi. 23-26. 

This sacrament, thus instituted by Christ, was re- 
ligiously received in both kinds by the Church in its 
early days, as it has been ever since. In the Acts 
of the Apostles we read, '^ Upon the first day of the 
week, when the disciples came together to break 
bread." Acts xx. 7. As if this was their habitual 
practice. And in St. Paul's first Epistle to the Co- 
rinthians, his rebuke of the abuses of this sacrament 
implies, beyond doubt, the fact of its habitual recep- 
tion, and that in both kinds. 

Again : The sacrament of baptism was designed to 
be administered, and ought to be administered to in- 
fants, as well as adults. 

The following summary of arguments for infant 
baptism is briefly presented. 

First. The covenant of grace, by which men are 
saved, is the same in its main features in all ages of 
the world. And as infants were admitted to that 

94. Where are the accounts found % 

95. Was this Sacrament continued in the early Church 1 

96. Give the scriptural proof. 

97. Was Baptism designed for infants 1 



216 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

covenant, at God's command, by circumcision, so, as 
a matter of course, they are to be admitted to it now 
that the seal has been changed. Gen. xvii. 1-14. 

Second. The Apostles expressly told the Jews, that 
the blessings of the Gospel of Christ belonged not 
only to them, but to their children. Acts ii. 38, 39. 
The Jews, as a matter of fact, never objected to 
Christianity that under it infants were excluded from 
the covenant of grace. 

Third. The command, " Repent and be hajptized^^^ 
does not exclude infants from baptism, on the ground 
that they are incapable of repentance, any more than 
the condition, " He that helieveth not shall be damned^'' 
excludes them from the promise of salvation on the 
ground that they are incapable of believing. Both 
conditions are addressed to those capable of under- 
standing them. Infant baptism is another and dis- 
tinct question. 

Fourth. Our Saviour expressly affirms that the 
Church, or the kingdom of God, has infants among 
its members. " Suffer little children, and forbid them 
not, for of such is the kingdom of God." St. Matt. xix. 
14. 

Fifth. In the history of the Church in the New 
Testament, we read of the baptism of whole families, 
where the form of expression, '' his house," &c., implies 
that the whole family were baptized upon the conver- 

99. What is the second argument 1 

100. What is the third argument ? 

101. What is the fourth argument '? 

102. What is the fifth argument 1 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 217 

sion of the heads of the family. Acts xvi. 33 ; 1 Cor. 
i. 16. 

Sixth. The history of the early Church leaves us 
no room to doubt as to the practice of the Apostles in 
this respect. 

Justin Martyr, who lived immediately after the 
Apostles, says, '• There are among us those of both 
sexes, of seventy and eighty years of age, who were 
made disciples of Christ when they were infants." 

Origen, a little after, says, " Infants are baptized 
for the remission of sins," And at a council called 
by Cyprian bishop of Carthage, of sixty-six bishops, 
A.D. 253, the question was discussed, whether infants 
might be baptized before the age of eight days ; but 
concerning the doctrine itself, there was no dispute. 
The depriving infants of this sacrament is one of the 
modern corruptions of later times. 

Such are some of the arguments in favor of infant 
baptism. 

IV. Another institution of revealed religion is that 
of the Christian Sabbath, and Christian worship. 

First. The institution of a Sabbath, or appointment 
of every seventh day as a day of holy rest, was not 
first made by Christ and His apostles, nor was it a 

103. What is the sixth argument 1 

104. Give the testimony of Justin Martyr. 

105. What does Origen say 7 

106. What question arose at Carthage 1 

107. What do all these arguments prove ? 

108. What is the next institution of Revealed Religion ? 

109. Was this a Jewish institution 1 

19 



218 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

day of Jewish origin. This day was set apart by G-ob 
Himself, immediately after the creation. It is said, 
" He rested on the seventh day from all His work 
which He had made. And Gtod blessed the seventh 
day, and sanctified it^ because that on it He had rested 
from all His work ivhich God created and madeP 
Gen. ii. 2 and 3. 

Here is the first institution of the Sabbath, and the 
reason for it ; clearly proving that the day is not a 
Jewish institution. 

Second. The frequency with which the word " sev- 
en " occurs in the early history of the world, as a 
division of time, seems to have had its origin in the 
Sabbatical rest, occurring on every seventh day. Gen. 
viii. 10-12; xxix. 18-27, &c. 

Third. The day was plainly observed before the 
giving of the Moral Law on Mount Sinai. Thus, in 
the journey of the Israelites, the Lord said to Moses 
respecting the manna, "On the sixth day they shall 
prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice 
as much as they gather daily ;" and " on the seventh 
day they found none." Ex. xvi. 5, 27. 

Fourth. The very language of the moral law re- 
specting the Sabbath, implies a previous existence of 
the Sabbath. It is not '^ Thou shalt observe the seventh 

110. When was it appointed'? 

111. For whom was it appointed 1 

112. What number frequently occurs in the Old Testament *? 

113. When do we find the day observed'? 

114. Was this previous to the giving of the Law on Sinai % 
\Vb, What does the language of the commandment prove % 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. ^19 

day to keep it holyj" but " Remember the Sabbath 
day," as if it were something already existing ; and 
the reason for its observance points us back at once 
fco its first institution, at the time of the creation. 

Fifth. The moral nature of the Sabbath is an 
argument for its early origin and universal obligation. 
It is a day of physical repose ; a cessation from 
^^orldly care and business ; an opportunity of prepa- 
ration for that Sabbath which shall never end. 

All history shows, that the non-observance of the 
Sabbath as a day of holy rest, has always been attended 
by the extinguishment of all true religion. This will 
hold true both as a public and private test. 

Sixth. Our blessed Saviour, having '^ all power in 
heaven and on earth," as " Head over all things to 
the Church," changed the day from the seventh to the 
tirst day of the week. He continued the same division 
bf time, still setting apart " the seventh day," pre- 
Berving the moral character of the institution, but He 
changed the day itself from the seventh to the first 
day, in commemoration of another and greater event 
than the creation of a world at the first, viz., a new 
moral creation, in virtue of His own death and resur- 
rection. 

That the day was thus changed a few proofs will 
suffice to show. 

116. What is the nature of the commandment'? 

117. What has been its history in the world'? 

1 18. What did our Saviour do 1 

119. Had He power to do this '? 

120. What did He change 1 121. What did He continue 1 



220 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

On the first day of the week, after our Lord's re- 
surrectioiij we find the disciples assembled together, 
and Jesus with them. St. John xx. 19. 

After eight days, again, the disciples were together, 
and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them. St. 
John XX. 26. 

In the Book of the Acts of the Apostles we find 
this day statedly and religiously kept. 

It was upon the first day of the week that the Holy 
Ghost descended on the Apostles, as '' they were all 
with one accord in one place." Acts ii. 1. 

Upon the first day of the week we find the disci- 
plesi habitually assembling to receive the Lord's Sup- 
per, and St. Paul preaching to them. Acts xx. 7. 

On the first day of the week, St. Paul exhorts the 
Corinthian Christians, to lay aside their alms, as Gtod 
had prospered them. 1 Cor. xvi. 2. 

This day was known as the Lord's day, and St. 
John says, " I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." 
Rev. i. 10. 

The early Church statedly and religiously kept 
the first day of the week as the Christian Sabbath. 

Ignatius says, " No longer observing Sabbaths^ but 
keeping the Lord's day, in which also our life is 

122. Prove that the day was changed. 

123. Did He keep the first day of the week 1 
121 Did the Apostles keep it 1 

125. What was this day called 1 

126. Why was thejirst day selected 1 

127. Was this day kept in the early Church 1 

128. Gtuote from Ignatius. 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 221 

sprung up by Him.'' Ejp. ad Mag., sec. 9. And 
again, '' Let every one that loves Christ, keep lioly 
the Lord's day, the queen of days, the resurrection 
day, the highest of all days." 

Irenseus Bishop of Lyons, A.D. 167, says, " On 
the Lord's day every one of us Christians keep the 
Sabbath, meditating on the Law, and rejoicing in the 
works of God." 

Clement of Alexandria, A.D. 192, says, " A Chris- 
tian, according to the command of the Gospel, ob- 
serves the Lord's day, thereby glorifying the resur- 
rection of the Lord." 

These specimens, from the early writers, are suffi- 
cient to prove that the primitive Christians, imme- 
diately after the Apostles, perpetuated the religious 
observance of the first day of the week, which, as we 
have seen, was instituted by our blessed Saviour and 
His inspired Apostles. 

Seventh. This day was devoted to religious, public 
worship, The quotations from the Acts of the Apos- 
tles and from the Fathers prove this. 

Dionysius says, ''This being the Lord's day we keep 
it holy." And Justin Martyr declares, " On Sunday 
all Christians in the city or country meet together, 
because that is the day of our Lord's resurrection ; 
and then we read the writings of the Prophets and 

129. State the words of Irenaeus. 

130. Cluote from Clement. 131. What do all these prove 1 

132. How was this day kept 1 

133. Give the statement of Dionysius. 

134. Repeat the language of Justin. 

19* 



222 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

Apostles ; this being done, the president makes an 
oration to the assembly, to exhort them to imitate 
and do the things they heard ; then we all join in 
prayer, and after that we celebrate the Sacrament." 
Just. Mart. Apol. iii., p. 96, 99. 

Such is the evidence of the institution and due ob- 
servance of this holy day — a day which must still be 
kept AoZy, by abstaining from worldly avocations and 
pleasures, by devout and regular attendance upon 
God's worship in His courts, by receiving His holy 
Sacrament, by private, religious reading, meditation 
and prayer, and by works of necessity and mercy. 

Y. The other institution of Revealed Religion is 
that of Confirmation, or " the laying on of hands," by 
the chief minister on those who have been baptized. 

That this is such an institution we cannot doubt. 
The Apostles practised it. When Philip, one of the 
seven deacons, had preached and baptized certain con- 
verts at Samaria, the Apostles at Jerusalem went down 
to do that which Philip the deacon could not do, 
namely : administer " the laying on of hands," and 
confer larger measures of spiritual blessings." Acts 
viii. 5-13. And St. Paul, in explaining the system 
of the Gospel more perfectly to the Jews, names the 
" doctrine " of " the laying on of hands" as one of the 
first principles of the doctrine of Christ. Heb. vi. 1. 2. 

— »• ■■ — ~ M 

135. How ought this day to be observed % 

136. What are violations of this day ? 

137. What institution is next considered % 

138. Who practised it 1 139. Give an instance of this. 
140. What is it said to be 1 



INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 22S 

The early writers speak distinctly of this institu 
tion of Christianity. 

Tertullian, of the second century, says, " Hands 
are imposed upon those who had been baptized, with 
prayer and the invocation of the Holy Ghost." 

Cyprian Bishop of Carthage says, " Those who 
have been baptized in the Church are brought to the 
president of the Church, that by our prayer and im- 
position of hands, they may receive the Holy Ghost, 
and be consummated with the Lord's seal." 

At the Reformation, they, on the continent, who 
rejected other apostolical institutions (which they did 
not do from choice), either retained Confirmation or 
desired to retain it. The Lutherans practise Confir- 
mation even to this day. 

Calvin says, " It was an ancient custom in the 
Church for the children of Christians, after they were 
come to years of discretion, to be presented to the 
bishop, in order to fulfil that duty which was required 
of adults who offered themselves to Baptism." And 
he calls it '' the imposition of hands." Cat. Iiis.yB. iv- 

The propriety of this rite, the blessings attending 
it, and the conditions or qualifications for it cannot 
now be considered. I am only concerned to prove. 

141. Repeat the language of TertuUian. 
143. Give the statement of Cyprian. 

143. How was this regarded at the Reformation 7 

144. Who retained it 7 145. What does Calvin say of it 

146. Is it an important rite '? 

147. Where are the qualifications found 1 



224 INSTITUTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

what I think is already apparent, that Conjarmation i 
is one of the institutions of our most holy religion. 

Conclusion.— Such, the reader will bear in mind, 
are the institutions of our blessed religion. We 
have aimed at saying little or nothing respecting the 
jpradical duties which at once spring up from such 
institutions. 

The writer leaves these to be presented by the liv- 
ing teacher of GtOd's truth, and refers the reader to 
those numerous publications, to which he will read- 
ily find access. All that we have now attempted, 
has been to show distinctly this one thing— that in 
the system of Revealed Religion God has seen fit to 
make known to us certain visible institutions, which, 
as they are devised by His wisdom, so they are estab- 
lished by His authority, and are to be received by us 
as the gifts of His love. 

And we now fervently commend the reader, anc 
the fruits of our present labors, to the blessing of 
God THE Father, God the Son, and God the Holi 
Ghost, three Persons and one God, to whom be 
rendered undivided homage, praise and thanksgiving 
for ever and ever. 



148. What has now been presented 1 

149. To what have we been limited 7 

150. What duties at once arise 1 




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